Ezekiel 12

1The word of the LORD came to me: 2Son of man, you live among a rebellious house. They have eyes that can see, yet they do not see, and ears that can hear, yet they do not hear, because they are a rebellious house. 3So you, son of man, pack your belongings for exile, and in daylight, while they watch, set out as one going into exile. Go from your place to another place while they watch. Perhaps they will understand, rebellious house though they are. 4Bring out your belongings by day while they watch, like belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they watch, go out yourself like people going into exile. 5As they look on, dig a hole in the wall and take your belongings out through it. 6While they watch, lift the bundle onto your shoulder and carry it out in the dark. Cover your face so that you do not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel. 7So I did as I was commanded. By day I brought out my belongings as if packed for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took them out in the dark, carrying them on my shoulder while they watched.

8In the morning the word of the LORD came to me: 9Son of man, has not the house of Israel, that rebellious house, asked you, “What are you doing?” 10Say to them: The Lord GOD says this: This oracle is about the prince in Jerusalem and the whole house of Israel living there. 11Say: I am a sign for you. As I have done, so it will be done to them. They will go into exile, into captivity. 12The prince among them will lift his bundle onto his shoulder in the dark and go out. They will dig through the wall to get him out through it. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land with his eyes. 13I will spread my net over him, and he will be trapped in my snare. I will take him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, but he will not see it, and he will die there. 14All those around him, his helpers and all his troops, I will scatter to every wind, and I will draw the sword to pursue them. 15Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I scatter them among the nations and spread them across the lands. 16But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that among the nations where they go they may tell about all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

17The word of the LORD came to me: 18Son of man, eat your food trembling, and drink your water shaking with anxiety. 19Say to the people of the land: The Lord GOD says this about those who live in Jerusalem, in the land of Israel: They will eat their food with anxiety and drink their water in horror, for their land will be stripped of all it holds because of the violence of everyone who lives there. 20The cities where people live will be laid waste, and the land will become a desolation. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

21The word of the LORD came to me: 22Son of man, what is this proverb you have about the land of Israel: “The days go on and on, and every vision comes to nothing”? 23Therefore say to them: The Lord GOD says this: I will put an end to this proverb, and they will not quote it in Israel anymore. Tell them instead: The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. 24For there will be no more false visions or flattering divination among the house of Israel. 25For I am the LORD. I will speak whatever word I speak, and it will be done without further delay. In your own days, you rebellious house, I will speak the word and carry it out, declares the Lord GOD.

26The word of the LORD came to me: 27Son of man, the house of Israel is saying, “The vision he sees is for many days to come; he prophesies about times far away.” 28Therefore say to them: The Lord GOD says this: None of my words will be put off any longer. Whatever I say will be done, declares the Lord GOD.