I will leave you on the ground, I will fling you on the open field, I will allow ¹  all the birds of the sky to settle ²  on you, and I will permit ³  all the wild animals ⁴  to gorge themselves on you.

I will lead people, my people Israel, across you; they will possess you and you will become their inheritance. No longer will you bereave them of their children.

Therefore prophesy, and tell them, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Look, I am about to open your graves and will raise you from your graves, my people. I will bring you to the land of Israel.

Because they used to minister to them before their idols, and became a sinful obstacle ¹  to the house of Israel, consequently I have made a vow ²  concerning them, declares the sovereign Lord, that they will be responsible ³  for their sin.

He made me walk all around among them. ¹  I realized ²  there were a great many bones in the valley and they were very dry.

Moreover, they will teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the ceremonially unclean and the clean. ¹ 

I too will clap my hands together, I will exhaust my rage; I the Lord have spoken.”

I will put an end to the obscene conduct in the land; all the women will learn a lesson from this and not engage in obscene conduct.

I myself will feed my sheep and I myself will make them lie down, declares the sovereign Lord.

therefore you will no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children, declares the sovereign Lord.

I will knock your bow out of your left hand and make your arrows fall from your right hand.

“‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: In the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will populate the cities and the ruins will be rebuilt.

“All the leaders of the north are there, along with all the Sidonians; despite their might they have gone down in shameful terror with the dead. They lie uncircumcised with those killed by the sword, and bear their shame with those who descend to the pit.

To arouse anger, to take vengeance, I have placed her blood on an exposed rock so that it cannot be covered up.

Therefore, prophesy against them! Prophesy, son of man!”

“‘Therefore O prostitute, hear the word of the Lord:

Their ¹  graves are located in the remote slopes of the pit. ²  Her assembly is around her grave, all of them struck down by the sword, those who spread terror in the land of the living.

“Meshech-Tubal is there, along with all her hordes around her grave. ¹  All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword, for they spread their terror in the land of the living.

“‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:

“Are you willing to pronounce judgment? ¹  Are you willing to pronounce judgment, son of man? Then confront them with the abominable practices of their fathers,