12. The king among them will put his things on his shoulder in the dark and will leave. The people will dig a hole through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the ground.
13. But I will spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my trap. Then I will bring him to Babylon in the land of the Babylonians. He will not see that land, but he will die there.
14. All who are around the king—his helpers and all his army—I will scatter in every direction, and I will chase them with a sword.
15. “They will know that I am the Lord when I scatter them among the nations and spread them among the countries.
16. But I will save a few of them from the sword and from hunger and disease. Then they can tell about their hateful actions among the nations where they go. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
17. The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
18. “Human, tremble as you eat your food, and 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 drink their water in shock, because their land will be stripped bare because of the violence of the people who live in it.
20. The cities where people live will become ruins, and the land will become empty. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”
21. The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
22. “Human, 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, and nobody in Israel will use this saying anymore.’ But tell them, ‘The time is near when every vision will come true.
24. There will be no more false visions or pleasing prophecies inside the nation of Israel,
25. but I, the Lord, will speak. What I say will be done, and it will not be delayed. You refuse to obey, but in your time I will say the word and do it, says the Lord God.’ ”