1   These were the words of the Lord, spoken to me on the tenth day of the tenth month in the ninth year: 2   Man, write down a name for this day, this very day: This is the day the king of Babylon invested Jerusalem. 3   Sing a song of derision to this people of rebels; say to them, These are the words of the Lord God:

    Set a cauldron on the fire,
    set it on and pour water into it.
     4   Into it collect the pieces,
      all the choice pieces,
  cram it with leg and shoulder and the best of the bones;
       5   take the best of the flock.
    Pack the logs ^note round it underneath;
      seethe the stew
    and boil the bones in it.


       6   O city running with blood,
    O pot green with corrosion,
    corrosion that will never be clean!

Jerusalem's downfall certain

Therefore these are the words of the Lord God:

    Empty it, piece after piece,
    though no lot is cast for any of them.
     7   The city had blood in her midst
    and she poured it out on the gleaming rock,
    not on the ground: she did not pour it there
    for the dust to cover it.
   8   But I too have spilt blood on the gleaming white rock
      so that it cannot be covered,
  to make anger flare up and to call down vengeance.

9   Therefore these are the words of the Lord God:

      O city running with blood,
    I too will make a great fire-pit.
   10   Fill it with logs, light the fire;
      make an end of the meat,
  pour out all the broth ^note and the bones with it. ^note
     11   Then set the pot empty on the coals
  so that its copper may be heated red-hot,
    and then the impurities in it may be melted
      and its corrosion burnt off.
       12   Try as you may, ^note
  the corrosion is so deep that it will not come off;
      only fire will rid it of corrosion for you.
   13   Even so, when I cleansed you in your filthy lewdness,
    you did not become clean from it,
      and therefore you shall never again be clean
    until I have satisfied my anger against you.

14   I, the Lord, have spoken; the time is coming, I will act. I will not refrain nor pity nor relent; I ^note will judge you for your conduct and for all that you have done. This is the very word of the Lord God.

15    16   These were the words of the Lord to me: Man, I am taking from you at one blow the dearest thing you have, but you must not wail or weep or give way to tears. 17   Keep in good heart; be quiet, and make no mourning for the dead; cover your head as usual and put sandals on your feet. You shall not cover your upper lip in mourning nor eat the bread of despair.

18   I spoke to the people in the morning; and that very evening my wife died. 19   Next morning I did as I was told. The people asked me to say what meaning my behaviour had for them. 20   I answered, These were the

Jerusalem's downfall certain words of the Lord to me: 21   Tell the Israelites, This is the word of the Lord God: I will desecrate my sanctuary, which has been the pride of your strength, the delight of your eyes and your heart's desire; and the sons and daughters whom you have left behind shall fall by the sword. 22   But, I said, you shall do as I have done: you shall not cover your upper lip in mourning nor eat the bread of despair. 23   You shall cover your head and put sandals on your feet; you shall not wail nor weep. Because of your wickedness you will pine away and will lament to ^note one another. 24   The Lord says, Ezekiel will be a sign to warn you, and when it happens you will do as he has done, and you will know that I am the Lord God.

25   And now, man, a word for you: I am taking from them that fortress whose beauty so gladdened them, the delight of their eyes, their heart's desire; I am taking their sons and their daughters. 26   Soon fugitives will come and tell you their news by word of mouth. 27   At once you will recover the power of speech and speak with the fugitives; you will no longer be dumb. So will you be a portent to them, and they shall know that I am the Lord.

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