1On the tenth day of the tenth month in the ninth year, the LORD spoke his word to me. He said, 2"Son of man, write down today's date. The king of Babylon has surrounded Jerusalem this very day.

3Tell these rebellious people a story. Tell them, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: Put the pot on the fire; put it on. Pour water in it.

4Cut the meat into pieces, all the best pieces, the thigh and shoulder. Fill the pot with the meatiest bones

5selected from the best sheep. Pile wood under the pot. Bring the mixture in the pot to a boil. Cook the bones that are in it well.

6" 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: How horrible it will be for that city of murderers, for that tarnished pot. Its tarnish will not come off. Empty the meat out of it piece by piece without choosing any particular piece.

7Blood is still in that city. The blood was poured on a bare rock. It wasn't poured on the ground where dust would cover it.

8In order to stir up my fury so that I would pay that city back, I put the blood of its victims on a bare rock. Now that blood can't be covered.

9" 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: How horrible it will be for that city of murderers. I, too, will pile the wood high.

10Pile it high, and light the fire. Cook the meat thoroughly, stir the mixture, and let the bones burn.

11Then set the empty pot on the coals so that it gets hot and its copper glows. Its impurities will melt away, and its tarnish will burn off.

12" 'I have worn myself out trying to clean this pot. Even the fire can't take away its thick tarnish.

13I tried to clean you of your filthy lust, but you wouldn't clean yourself from your filth. You will never be clean until I unleash my fury on you.

14I, the LORD, have spoken. It will happen, and I will do it. I will not ignore you, pity you, or change my plans. I will punish you because of the way you lived and because of everything you have done,' " declares the Almighty LORD.

15Then the LORD spoke his word to me. He said, 16"Son of man, with one blow I'm going to take away from you the person you love the most. But you must not mourn, cry, or let tears run down your face. 17Groan silently. Don't grieve for the person who dies. Tie on your turban, and put on your sandals. Don't cover your face or eat the food that mourners eat." 18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I was ordered. 19The people asked me, "Tell us, what do these things that you are doing mean to us?" 20I told them, "The LORD spoke his word to me. He said, 21'Tell the nation of Israel, "This is what the Almighty LORD says: I'm going to dishonor my holy place. You brag that my holy place gives you strength. It's the thing you love the most. It's your hearts' desire. So the sons and daughters that you left behind will die in battle. 22Then you must do as I did. Don't cover your faces or eat the food that mourners eat. 23Leave your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. Don't grieve or cry! You will waste away because of your guilt and groan to one another. 24Ezekiel is a sign to you. You will do everything he has done. Then you will know that I am the Almighty LORD."'

25"Son of man, on that day I will take their stronghold away from them. It makes them happy and proud. It is their hearts' desire and the thing they love the most. I will also take away their sons and daughters. 26On that day a refugee will come to you to tell you the news. 27On that very day your mouth will be opened, and you will talk to the refugee. You will speak and not be silent anymore. You will be a sign to them. Then they will know that I am the LORD."