Ezekiel 12

1Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

2Son of man, you dwell among a rebel house, which has eyes to see but does not see, ears to hear but does not hear—for they are a rebel house.

3You, son of man, prepare baggage for exile and go into exile by day before their eyes, and go from your place to another place before their eyes; perhaps they will see, because they are a house of rebellion.

4Bring your belongings out by day in their sight, as the belongings of exiles, and go out yourself at evening in their sight, like those departing into exile.

5Before their eyes, dig through the wall, and bring out through it.

6Before their eyes, carry it on your shoulder and bring it out at twilight; cover your face so you do not see the land, for I have appointed you a sign to the house of Israel.

7I did just as commanded: by day I carried out my baggage as for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my hand; I carried it out in the twilight and bore it on my shoulder before their eyes.

8The word of Yahweh came to me in the morning, saying,

9Son of man, hasn't the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, "What are you doing?"

10Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh: This burden is for the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel who are among them.'

11Say, "I am your sign: as I have done, so it will be done to them—they will go into exile, into captivity."

12The prince among them will carry his load on his shoulder at twilight and go out; they will dig through the wall to bring him out through it. He will cover his face because he will not see the land with his eyes.

13I will 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, and there he will die.

14I will scatter to every wind all his helpers around him and all his troops, and draw out the sword after them.

15They will know that I am Yahweh when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the lands.

16I will leave a few of their men from the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, so that they may recount all their abominations among the nations to which they come there, and they will know that I am Yahweh.

17The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

18Son of man, eat your bread with shaking, and drink your water with trembling and anxiety.

19Say to the people of the land: Thus says the Lord Yahweh concerning Jerusalem's inhabitants upon Israel's ground. With anxiety they will eat their bread, and with dismay drink their water, so her land becomes a desolation, emptied of all it holds because of the violence of everyone dwelling in it.

20Inhabited cities shall become desolate, and the land shall be a wasteland; you shall know that I am Yahweh.

21The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

22Son of man, what is this proverb you use in the land of Israel: "The days lengthen, and every vision perishes"?

23Therefore tell them, Thus says Lord Yahweh: I have put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer recite it in Israel; but speak to them: The days have drawn near, and the matter of every vision.

24For no longer will there be any false vision or flattering divination in the midst of the house of Israel.

25For I am Yahweh; I will speak, and whatever word I speak will happen—it will not be delayed any longer—for in your days, rebellious house, I will speak the word and do it, declares the Lord Yahweh.

26The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

27Son of man, look, the house of Israel says, "The vision he sees is for many days, and he prophesies for times far off."

28Therefore say to them, Thus says Lord Yahweh: No longer will any of my words be delayed, but the word I speak will happen, declares Lord Yahweh.