CHAPTER 12
“Son
of man,
you
are living
in
a rebellious
house.
They have eyes
to see
but do not
see,
and ears
to hear
but do not
hear,
for
they
are a rebellious
house.
Therefore,
son
of man,
pack
your bags
for exile.
In broad daylight,
set out and go
from your place
to
another
as they look on.
Perhaps
they will understand,
though
they
are a rebellious
house.
Bring out
your baggage
for exile
by day,
as they look on.
Then in the evening,
as they look on,
go out
like those who go
into exile.
And as they look on,
lift
your bags to
your shoulder
and take them out
at dusk;
cover
your face
so that you cannot
see
the land.
For
I have made you
a sign
to the house
of Israel.”
So I did
as
I was commanded.
I brought out
my bags
for exile
by day,
and in the evening
I dug
through the wall
by hand.
I took my belongings out
at dusk,
carrying
them on
my shoulder
as they watched.
Tell
them
that this is what
the Lord
GOD
says:
‘This
oracle
concerns the prince
in Jerusalem
and all
the house
of Israel
who
are
there.’
You are to say,
‘I
am a sign for you.
Just as
I have done,
so
will it be done to them;
they will go
into exile
as captives.’
And at dusk
the prince
among them
will lift
his bags to
his shoulder
and go out.
They will dig
through the wall
to bring him out.
He will cover
his face
so
he
cannot
see
the land.
But I will spread
My net
over him,
and he will be caught
in My snare.
I will bring
him to Babylon,
the land
of the Chaldeans;
yet he will not
see it,
and there
he will die.
I will also scatter
to the winds
all
the attendants
around him
and all
his troops,
and I will draw
a sword
to chase after them.
And they will know
that
I
am the LORD
when I disperse
them
among the nations
and scatter
them
throughout the countries.
But I will spare
a few
of them
from the sword,
famine,
and plague,
so that
they can tell
of all
their abominations
among the nations
to which
they go.
Then they will know
that
I
am the LORD.”
Then tell
the people
of the land
that this is what
the Lord
GOD
says
about those living
in Jerusalem
and in
the land
of Israel:
‘They will eat
their bread
with anxiety
and drink
their water
in dread,
for
their land
will be stripped
of everything in it
because of the violence
of all
those who dwell
in it.
The inhabited
cities
will be laid waste,
and the land
will become
desolate.
Then you will know
that
I
am the LORD.’”
“Son
of man,
what
is this
proverb
that you have in
the land
of Israel:
‘The days
go by,
and every
vision
fails’?
Therefore
tell
them
that this is what
the Lord
GOD
says:
‘I will put an end
to this
proverb,
and in Israel
they will no longer
recite
it.’
But
say
to them:
‘The days
are at hand
when every
vision
will be fulfilled.
because
I,
the LORD,
will speak
whatever
word
I speak,
and it will be fulfilled
without
delay.
For
in your days,
O rebellious
house,
I will speak
a message
and bring it to pass,
declares
the Lord
GOD.’”
“Son
of man,
take note
that the house
of Israel
is saying,
‘The vision
that
he
sees
is for many
years from now;
he
prophesies
about the distant
future.’
Therefore
tell
them
that this is what
the Lord
GOD
says:
‘None
of My words
will be delayed
any longer.
The message
I speak
will be fulfilled,
declares
the Lord
GOD.’”