The Babylonian Exile

While they watch, you are to shoulder your pack and carry it out into the dark, with your face covered, so that you can't see the ground; for I am making you a sign for the house of Isra'el."

So I did as I had been ordered - I brought out my belongings during the day as supplies for exile, and in the evening I dug a hole through the wall with my hand; then I carried my pack out on my shoulder in the dark as they watched.

In the morning the word of ADONAI came to me:

"Human being, the house of Isra'el, that rebellious house, has asked you what you are doing.

Tell them that Adonai ELOHIM says this prophecy concerns the prince in Yerushalayim and all the house of Isra'el there.

Say: 'I am a sign for you. As I have done, so will it be done to them - they will go into exile, into captivity.

The prince who is with them will shoulder his pack and leave in the dark. They will dig holes through the wall to carry out their supplies. He will cover his face, so that he won't be able to see the ground with his eyes.

I will spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my snare. Then I will bring him to Bavel, to the land of the Kasdim. But he will not see it, even though he is going to die there.

I will scatter to every wind all who are in attendance on him to help him, along with all his troops; and I will pursue them with the sword.

They will know that I am ADONAI when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the countries.

But I will spare a few of them from sword, famine and plague; so that they can tell about all their disgusting practices among the nations where they go; thus they too will know that I am ADONAI.'"

The word of ADONAI came to me:

"Human being, shake as you eat your food; tremble anxiously as you drink your water;

and say to the people of the land, 'Here is what Adonai ELOHIM says concerning those living in Yerushalayim in the land of Isra'el: "They will eat their bread in anxiety and drink their water in horror; because the land will be desolated from everything that fills it, due to the violence of those living there.

The inhabited cities will be laid waste, the land will be desolate, and you will know that I am ADONAI."'"

The word of ADONAI came to me:

"Human being, don't you have this proverb in the land of Isra'el, 'Time keeps passing, and none of the visions are fulfilled'?

Therefore tell them that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'I will put an end to that proverb; never again will they use it as a proverb in Isra'el.' Tell them, 'The time has come for the fulfillment of every vision.

There will no longer be empty visions or falsely optimistic divinations in the house of Isra'el,

because I am ADONAI. I will speak; and whatever statement I make, it will be accomplished. It will no longer be delayed; for in your days, you rebellious house, I will speak the word and accomplish it,' says Adonai ELOHIM."

Again, the word of ADONAI came to me:

"Human being, look! People from the house of Isra'el are saying, 'The vision he sees concerns the distant future; he is prophesying about a time far off.'

Therefore, say to them that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'None of my words will be delayed any more, but the word that I speak will be accomplished,' says Adonai ELOHIM."

The word of ADONAI came to me:

"Human being, prophesy against the prophets of Isra'el who prophesy. Tell those prophesying out of their own thoughts, 'Listen to what ADONAI says!