1. On January 15, during the ninth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the lord:
2. “Son of man, write down today’s date, because on this very day the king of Babylon is beginning his attack against Jerusalem.
3. Then give these rebels an illustration with this message from the Sovereign lord:“Put a pot on the fire,and pour in some water.
4. Fill it with choice pieces of meat—the rump and the shoulderand all the most tender cuts.
5. Use only the best sheep from the flock,and heap fuel on the fire beneath the pot.Bring the pot to a boil,and cook the bones along with the meat.
6. “Now this is what the Sovereign lord says:What sorrow awaits Jerusalem,the city of murderers!She is a cooking potwhose corruption can’t be cleaned out.Take the meat out in random order,for no piece is better than another.