1And on the tenth day of the tenth month of the ninth year, this word of the LORD came to me: 2“Son of man, write down (record) this date; because the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem on this very day. 3And relate this parable to this rebellious people, and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD God: “Set on a pot, and pour water into it. 4And put pieces of meat in it - choice pieces - the rump, shoulder; and all the tenderest cuts. 5Pick the best sheep of the flock, pile and burn wood under the pot, bring it to a boil, and also boil the bones in it.”

6For this is what the LORD God says: “Woe to the bloody city - a pot full of scum that has not and will not go away, scum that resists all efforts of cleansing it! Remove the meat, piece by piece, in whatever order they come. 7For the blood she has shed within her, she did not pour on the ground, where the dust would cover and hide it; but she poured it upon the top of a rock. 8I will splash her blood on a rock for all to see, an expression of My anger and vengeance against her.” 9Therefore, thus says the LORD God: “Woe to that bloody city! I, Myself, will pile up the wood for the fire beneath her. 10Heap the wood on, light the fire and let it roar; cook the meat, mixed well with spices, and let the bones be burned. 11Then set the empty pot upon the coals, until its bronze becomes very hot and glows, so that any filthy scum that remains is burned away. 12She has wearied Me with her lies and with corruption cannot be cleaned out. So throw it into the fire. 13Your filthiness lies in your idolatry; I have tried to cleanse you, but you would not be cleansed, you shall not be purged from your filthiness until I have caused My fury to fall upon you. 14I, the LORD, have spoken it; and it is time to act. I will do it; I will not hold back, nor will I spare, nor relent; you shall be judged in accordance with your ways and your doings,” says the LORD God.”

15Then later, this word of the LORD also came to me, 16“Son of man, behold, with one stroke, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you; but do not mourn, weep or shed your tears. 17Sigh quietly; but do not cry for the dead, or observe the customary mourning rituals; do not remove your turban from your head, nor your shoes from your feet, nor accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.” 18So I spoke to the people in the morning; and in the evening, my wife died; and so, I did my mourning as I was commanded. 19And then people asked me, “Will you not tell us what these things have to do with us, that you act so?” 20Then I answered, “This word came to me from the LORD: 21‘Tell the people of Israel, “Thus says the LORD God: ‘Behold, I am about to desecrate My Temple, the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, and the object of your affection; and your sons and your daughters, that you have left, shall fall by the sword.’”’ 22And then you people shall do as I (Ezekiel - not God) have done; you shall not openly mourn, nor eat the food that people bring to comfort you. 23You shall keep your turbans on your heads, and your shoes on your feet; you shall not mourn nor weep; but you shall feel deep remorse and express regret for your iniquities. 24Thus says the LORD: “Ezekiel is an example for you; and you shall do as he has done; and when this happens, you shall know that I am the LORD God.”

25“And, you, son of man, on that day when I take from them their stronghold (My Temple), their pride and the delight of their eyes, and the object of their affection, and I will also take away their sons and daughters, as well - 26On that day, those that survive shall come to tell you what has just happened. 27On that day, when they bring you the news, you will no longer remain silent; you will speak with them and you shall be a sign to them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.”