1 Então, com grande voz, trovejou aos meus ouvidos, dizendo: "Que se cheguem os responsáveis da cidade, cada um com as suas armas na mão!" 2 Responderam à chamada seis homens, vindos da porta mais ao norte, cada um com a sua arma; um deles, vestido de linho, trazia um tinteiro de escrivão à cintura. Entraram todos no templo e ficaram de pé junto do altar de bronze.

3 E a glória do Deus de Israel levantou-se do querubim sobre o qual estava e pôs-se à entrada do templo. O Senhor disse ao que trazia o tinteiro de escrivão: 4 "Passa pelas ruas de Jerusalém e põe um sinal nas testas daqueles que choram e gemem por causa de todos os pecados que veem à sua volta."

5 Ouvi o Senhor dizer para os outros: "Sigam através da cidade e matem todos os que não trazem o sinal nas frontes! Não os poupem, não tenham piedade deles! 6 Matem-nos a todos, velhos e novos, moças, mulheres e crianças, mas não toquem em ninguém que traga o sinal! Comecem já por aqui, no templo!" E começaram por matar os 70 anciãos.

7 E continuou dizendo: "Profanem o templo! Encham os pátios com os corpos dos que mataram! Comecem!" E foram através da cidade, fazendo como lhes tinha sido dito. 8 Enquanto cumpriam as ordens, fiquei sozinho. Inclinei-me então a chorar e exclamei: "Ó Senhor Deus! Vais enfurecer-te contra Jerusalém, destruindo os que ficaram de Israel?"

9 Mas disse-me: "Os pecados do povo de Israel e de Judá são muito grandes; toda a terra está cheia de assassínios e de injustiça, porque afirmam: ‘O Senhor não vê nada, já se desinteressou da terra!’ 10 Por isso, não os pouparei nem terei piedade deles. Castigá-los-ei plenamente por tudo quanto têm praticado."

11 Nesse momento, o homem vestido de linho, que trazia o tinteiro, regressou e disse: "Terminei a missão que me deste!"

1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. 2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.*9.2 which lieth: Heb. which is turned*9.2 a slaughter…: Heb. a weapon of his breaking in pieces*9.2 by his…: Heb. upon his loins 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; 4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.*9.4 set a mark: Heb. mark a mark

5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:*9.5 mine hearing: Heb. mine ears 6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.*9.6 utterly: Heb. to destruction 7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.

8 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? 9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.*9.9 full of blood: Heb. filled with, etc*9.9 perverseness: or, wresting of judgment 10 And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head. 11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.*9.11 reported…: Heb. returned the word