God calls executioners to strike the city, but first a man with a writing kit puts a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve over the abominations. Ezekiel pleads for the remnant of Israel.
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 .
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.
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 :
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 .
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.
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.