2Son of man, turn your face toward the south, and speak against the south. Prophesy against the forest of the southern land,
3and say to the southern forest, 'Listen to the word of the LORD. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Behold, I am about to set you ablaze, and it will devour every green tree and every dry tree within you. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from the south to the north will be scorched by it.
4All human beings will see that I, the LORD, have ignited it, and it will not be put out.
5Then I said, 'Alas, Sovereign LORD! They are saying of me, "Is he not just speaking in riddles?"'
6Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
7Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, preach against the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel.
8Say to the land of Israel, 'This is what the LORD says: Behold, I am against you. I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.
9Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will go out from its sheath against all flesh, from the south to the north.
10All humanity will know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword from its sheath, and it will not return again.
11And you, son of man, groan with the breaking of your heart and with bitterness. Sigh in their sight.