Ezekiel 9 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Then he called out in my hearing with a voice that shook the air: "Bring forward those appointed to judge the city — each one gripping a weapon meant for destruction."

And there they came — six figures approaching from the direction of the upper gate, the one facing north, each carrying a crushing weapon in hand. Among them stood one dressed in linen, with a scribe's writing kit strapped at his side. They entered and took their place beside the bronze altar.

Now the glory of the God of Israel had risen from above the winged creatures where it rested and moved to the threshold of the temple. He called out to the one dressed in linen, the one with the scribe's writing kit at his side.

And Yahweh said to him: "Walk through the city — through the heart of Jerusalem — and mark the foreheads of those who groan and grieve over all the disgusting things happening within it."

And to the others he said, within my hearing: "Follow him through the city and strike. Do not let your eyes show pity. Do not hold back."

"Slaughter them all — old men, young men, young women, children, and mothers alike — until there is nothing left. But anyone with the mark on their forehead: do not touch them. Begin at my sacred place." So they began with the elders who stood before the temple.

Then he said to them: "Defile the temple. Fill its courtyards with the dead. Go." And they went out and began striking throughout the city.

And while they were striking them down, I was left alone. I fell facedown and cried out: "Please, my Lord Yahweh! Are you going to destroy every last person left in Israel as you pour out your fury on Jerusalem?"

He said to me: "The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is immense — beyond anything you can measure. The land is drenched in bloodshed, and the city is swollen with injustice. They keep saying, 'Yahweh has abandoned the land. Yahweh doesn't see.'"

"So as for me — my eye will not show pity, and I will not hold back. I will bring what they have done right back down on their own heads."

Then the one dressed in linen, with the writing kit at his side, returned and reported: "I have done everything you commanded."