15. The Lord said,
16. “Ezekiel, son of man, I will suddenly take the life of the person you love most. But I don't want you to complain or cry.
17. Mourn in silence and don't show that you are grieving. Don't remove your turban or take off your sandals; don't cover your face to show your sorrow, or eat the food that mourners eat.”
18. One morning, I was talking with the people as usual, and by sunset my wife was dead. The next day I did what the Lord told me,
19. and when people saw me, they asked, “Why aren't you mourning for your wife?”
20. I answered:The Lord God says
21. he is ready to destroy the temple in which you take such pride and which makes you feel so safe. Your children who now live in Jerusalem will be killed.
22. Then you will do the same things I have done. You will leave your face uncovered and refuse to eat the food that mourners usually eat.
23. You won't take off your turbans and your sandals. You won't cry or mourn, but all day long you will go around groaning because of your sins.
24. I am a warning sign—everything I have done, you will also do. And then you will know the Lord God has made these things happen.
25. The Lord said, “Ezekiel, I will soon destroy the temple that makes everyone feel proud and safe, and I will take away their children as well.
26. On that same day, someone will escape from the city and come to tell you what has happened.