1Again, on the tenth day of the tenth month in the ninth year, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, write down the name of this very day. On this very day, the king of Babylon has attacked Jerusalem.”
3“Tell a parable to the rebellious people and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says: “Set the pot on the fire; set it on and also pour water into it.
4Put its pieces into it—every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder. Fill it with the best bones.
5Take the best of the flock, and pile wood under the pot for the bones. Make it boil well; yes, let its bones be cooked within it.”
6Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Woe to the city full of bloodshed, to the pot whose rust is in it and whose rust has not been removed! Take out piece after piece from it; no lot is cast for it.’
7For the blood she shed is still in her; she put it on bare rock. She didn’t pour it on the ground to cover it with dust.
8So that wrath may rise up to take revenge, I have put her blood on the bare rock, so that it cannot be covered.
9Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Woe to the city full of bloodshed! I will also make the pile of wood large.’
10Pile on the wood, make the fire hot, boil the meat thoroughly, and make the broth thick; let the bones be burned.
11Then set the pot empty on the coals, so it gets hot, and its copper glows. This will melt away its filth and consume its rust.
12It is exhausted from the work, yet its stubborn rust, rust from the fire, won't leave it.
13Your uncleanness is disgraceful. I tried to cleanse you, but you weren't cleansed. You will not be cleansed from your uncleanness anymore until my anger against you has settled.
14I, Yahweh, have spoken it: it will happen, and I will do it. I will not turn back, nor will I spare you, nor will I change my mind. You will be judged according to your ways and actions, says the Lord Yahweh.
15The word of Yahweh also came to me, saying,
16“Son of Man, listen. I am about to take away your dearest treasure with a sudden blow. Yet you must not mourn or weep, nor should your tears flow.
17Sigh, but don't let it be heard. Do not mourn for the dead. Tie on your turban and put your sandals on your feet. Do not cover your face, and do not eat the food of mourners.”
18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and that evening my wife died. The next morning I did exactly as I was commanded.
19Then the people asked me, “Won't you tell us what these things you are doing mean to us?”
20So I said to them, “The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
21‘Tell the people of Israel that this is what the Lord Yahweh says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary, the source of your strength, the delight of your eyes, and the object of your affection. Your sons and your daughters whom you left behind will die by the sword.
22You will do exactly as I have done: you will not cover your faces or eat the food of mourners.
23Your turbans will be on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away in your sins and moan to one another.
24Ezekiel will be a sign for you. You will do everything he has done. When this happens, then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.’
25‘As for you, Son of Man, on the day I take away from them their strength, their glorious joy, the delight of their eyes, and what they cherish with all their hearts—their sons and daughters—
26on that very day, someone who escapes will come to you, bringing the news for you to hear with your own ears.'
27On that day, your mouth will be opened to the survivor, and you will speak and no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am Yahweh.”