Ezekiel 9

The Executioners Called

1 Then He shouted in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Bring near the executioners of the city, each with his weapon of destruction in his hand.”

2 And look, six men came from the direction of the upper gate facing north, each one holding a deadly weapon. Among them was one man dressed in linen, with a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar.

The Mark on the Faithful

3 The glory of the God of Israel rose up from the cherub where it had been and moved to the threshold of the temple. He called to the man dressed in linen who had the writing kit at his side.

4 The LORD said to him, “Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the people who groan and cry over all the disgusting things being done inside it.”

Judgment Without Mercy

5 To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and strike. Do not let your eye spare, and show no pity.

6 Kill old men, young men, virgins, little children, and women, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Start at My sanctuary.” So they started with the elders who were in front of the temple.

7 He said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courtyards with the slain. Go.” So they went out and struck people throughout the city.

Ezekiel’s Intercession

8 While they were striking and I was left alone, I fell facedown and cried out, “Ah, Lord GOD! Are You about to wipe out everyone left in Israel while You pour out Your wrath on Jerusalem?”

9 Then He said to me, “The sin of the house of Israel and Judah is extremely great. The land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The LORD has abandoned the land; the LORD does not see.’

10 As for Me, My eye will not spare, and I will show no pity. I will bring their actions down on their own heads.”

11 Then the man dressed in linen, with the writing kit at his side, reported back, saying, “I have done what You commanded me.”