7. The people of Jerusalem murdered innocent people in the city and didn't even try to cover up the blood that flowed out on the hard ground.
8. But I have seen that blood, and it cries out for me to take revenge.
9. I, the Lord God, will punish that city of violence! I will make a huge pile of firewood,
10. so bring more wood and light it. Cook the meat and boil away the broth to let the bones scorch.
11. Then set the empty pot over the hot coals until it is red-hot. That will clean the pot and burn off the rust.
12. I've tried everything else. Now the rust must be burnt away.
13. Jerusalem is so full of sin and evil that I can't get it clean, even though I have tried. It will stay filthy until I let loose my fierce anger against it.
14. That time will certainly come! And when it does, I won't show the people of Jerusalem any pity or change my mind. They must be punished for the evil they have done. I, the Lord God, have spoken.
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?”