Chapter Nine He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that
have charge over this city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon
in his hand.
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 brazen altar.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Then he said 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.
And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare.
Neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
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.