14. All who are around the king I will scatter in every direction. I will scatter his helpers and all his army. I will chase them with a sword.
15. “Then they will know that I am the Lord. I will scatter them among the nations. And I will spread them among the countries.
16. But I will save a few of them from the sword. I will save a few from hunger and disease. Then they can tell about their hated actions among the nations where they go. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
17. The Lord spoke his word to me. He said:
18. “Human being, shake as you eat your food. Shake with fear as you drink your water.
19. Then say to the people of the land: ‘This is what the Lord God says about the people who live in Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They will eat their food with fear. And they will drink their water in shock. This is because their land will be made empty. This is because of the violence of the people who live in it.
20. And the cities where people live will become ruins. The land will become empty. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
21. The Lord spoke his word to me. He said:
22. “Human being, what is this saying you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’?
23. So say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I will make them stop saying this. Then nobody in Israel will use it anymore.’ But tell them, ‘The time is near when every vision will come true.