9-12. “‘Therefore, this is what God, the Master, says:“‘Doom to the city of murder!I, too, will pile on the wood.Stack the wood high,light the match,Cook the meat, spice it well, pour out the broth,and then burn the bones.Then I’ll set the empty pot on the coalsand heat it red-hot so the bronze glows,So the germs are killedand the corruption is burned off.But it’s hopeless. It’s too far gone.The filth is too thick.
13-14. “‘Your encrusted filth is your filthy sex. I wanted to clean you up, but you wouldn’t let me. I’ll make no more attempts at cleaning you up until my anger quiets down. I, God, have said it, and I’ll do it. I’m not holding back. I’ve run out of compassion. I’m not changing my mind. You’re getting exactly what’s coming to you. Decree of God, the Master.’”
15-17. God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, I’m about to take from you the delight of your life—a real blow, I know. But, please, no tears. Keep your grief to yourself. No public mourning. Get dressed as usual and go about your work—none of the usual funeral rituals.”
18. I preached to the people in the morning. That evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I’d been told.
19. The people came to me, saying, “Tell us why you’re acting like this. What does it mean, anyway?”
20-21. So I told them, “God’s Word came to me, saying, ‘Tell the family of Israel, This is what God, the Master, says: I will desecrate my Sanctuary, your proud impregnable fort, the delight of your life, your heart’s desire. The children you left behind will be killed.