17. Sigh inwardly; be deathly still. Don’t perform mourning rites, but bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet. And don’t cover your upper lip or eat in human company.
18. I spoke with the people in the morning, and by evening my wife was dead. The next morning I did as I was commanded.
19. The people asked, "Won’t you tell us what your actions mean for us?"
20. So I said to them, The Lord’s word came to me:
21. Say to the house of Israel, the Lord God proclaims: I’m about to make my sanctuary impure, the pride of your strength, the delight of your eyes. Your heart’s desire, the sons and daughters you left behind, will fall by the sword.
22. You will do as I have done. You will neither cover your upper lip nor eat in human company.
23. Your turbans will be on your heads, your sandals on your feet. You won’t mourn or weep. You will waste away in your guilt, all of you groaning to each other.