1Yahweh spoke to me again. He said,
2“Son of man, you live among a rebellious people. They have eyes but don’t see, and ears but don’t hear, because they are a rebellious people.
3So, son of man, pack your bags for exile during the day while they watch. Leave your home and go to another place, still watching you. Maybe they will understand, even though they are a rebellious people.
4Bring out your belongings during the day, as if you’re packing for exile. Then, in the evening, go out yourself while they watch, like people going into exile.
5Dig through the wall as they watch, and carry your possessions out through that opening.
6As they watch, carry your things on your shoulder and go out in the dark. Cover your face so you cannot see the land, because I have made you a symbol for the people of Israel.”
7I did just as I was commanded. During the day, I brought out my belongings as if packing for exile. In the evening, I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought my things out in the dark and carried them on my shoulder while they watched.
8The next morning, Yahweh spoke to me again. He said,
9“Son of man, haven’t the people of Israel, that rebellious group, asked you, ‘What are you doing?’
10Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says: “This message is for the ruler in Jerusalem and all the people of Israel who live among them.”’
11Say, ‘I am a sign for you. What I have done will be done to them. They will go into exile, into captivity.
12The ruler among them will carry his belongings on his shoulder in the dark and go out. They will dig through the wall to carry things out that way. He will cover his face because he will not see the land with his own eyes.
13I will also spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my trap. I will bring him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans, but he will not see it, though he will die there.
14I will scatter in every direction all those around him who are helping him, and all his troops. I will pursue them with a sword.
15They will know that I am Yahweh when I scatter them among the nations and spread them through various countries.
16But I will spare a few of them from war, famine, and sickness, so they can tell about all their horrible practices among the nations where they go. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’”
17Yahweh’s word also came to me. He said,
18“Son of man, eat your bread fearfully and drink your water with trembling and anxiety.
19Tell the people of the land, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says about the people of Jerusalem and the land of Israel: “They will eat their bread fearfully and drink their water in despair, because their land will become desolate, along with everything in it, due to the violence of all who live there.
20The inhabited cities will be destroyed, and the land will become a wasteland. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.”’”
21The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
22"Son of man, what is this saying you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days drag on, and every vision comes to nothing’?
23Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says: I will put an end to this saying, and they will no longer use it in Israel.’ But tell them, ‘The time is near, and every vision will be fulfilled.
24For there will no longer be any false visions or flattering predictions among the people of Israel.'
25For I am Yahweh. I will speak, and the words I speak will happen. They will not be put off any longer. For in your lifetime, you rebellious people, I will speak the word and carry it out,” says the Lord Yahweh.’
26Again the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
27"Son of man, listen to what the people of Israel are saying: ‘The vision he sees is for a long time from now, and he prophesies about times that are far off.’
28"Therefore tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says: None of my words will be delayed any longer. The word I speak will be carried out,” says the Lord Yahweh.’"