Ezekiel 24

This very day

1In the ninth year, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2“Son of man, write down this date, this very day. On this very day the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem.

The pot

3Tell the rebellious household a parable. Say: This is what the Lord GOD says:
Put the pot on, put it on!
Pour water into it. 4Gather the pieces into it,
every good piece, thigh and shoulder.
Fill it with the choicest bones. 5Take the choicest of the flock.
Pile bones beneath it too.
Bring it to a rolling boil;
let its bones cook within it. 6“Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says:
Woe to the city of bloodshed,
the pot with corrosion inside it,
whose corrosion has not come out!
Empty it piece by piece;
cast no lot for it. 7Her blood is within her.
She set it on bare rock;
she did not pour it on the ground
to cover it with dust. 8To stir up fury and exact vengeance,
I have set her blood on bare rock,
so it cannot be covered. 9“Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says:
Woe to the city of bloodshed!
I too will make the pile high. 10Heap up the wood,
kindle the fire,
cook the meat thoroughly,
season the mixture,
and let the bones be charred. 11Set the empty pot on its coals,
so its copper grows hot and burns,
its uncleanness melts within it,
and its corrosion is consumed. 12The effort has wearied me,
yet its heavy corrosion will not come out.
Into the fire with its corrosion! 13Your uncleanness is lewdness. I tried to cleanse you, but you would not become clean. You will not be cleansed of your uncleanness again until I have let my fury rest upon you. 14I, the LORD, have spoken. It is coming, and I will act. I will not hold back, spare, or relent. They will judge you according to your ways and your deeds, declares the Lord GOD.”

The delight of Ezekiel’s eyes

15The word of the LORD came to me: 16“Son of man, I am taking away the delight of your eyes with a sudden blow. You must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. 17Groan in silence. Perform no mourning rites for the dead. Keep your turban bound on and your sandals on your feet. Do not cover your upper lip or eat the bread people bring.” 18I spoke to the people in the morning. In the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded. 19The people asked me, “Will you not tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?” 20I answered, “The word of the LORD came to me: 21‘Tell the house of Israel: This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to profane my sanctuary, the pride of your strength, the delight of your eyes, what your hearts cherish. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. 22You will do as I have done. You will not cover your upper lips or eat the bread people bring. 23Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but waste away in your guilt and groan to one another. 24Ezekiel will be a sign to you. You will do everything he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’”

The fugitive and the opened mouth

25“And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and splendor, the delight of their eyes and the longing of their hearts, their sons and daughters, 26on that day a fugitive will come to you and bring the news to your ears. 27On that day your mouth will open when the fugitive comes. You will speak and no longer be silent. You will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”