1. Ezekiel, son of man, find a brick and sketch a picture of Jerusalem on it.
2. Then prepare to attack the brick as if it were a real city. Build an earth mound and a ramp up to the top and surround the brick with enemy camps. On every side put large wooden poles as though you were going to break down the gate to the city.
3. Set up an iron pan like a wall between you and the brick. All this will be a warning for the people of Israel.
4-5. After that, lie down on your left side and stay there for three hundred and ninety days as a sign of Israel's punishment—one day for each year of its suffering.
6. Then turn over and lie on your right side forty more days. That will be a sign of Judah's punishment—one day for each year of its suffering.
7. The brick stands for Jerusalem, so attack it! Stare at it and shout angry warnings.
8. I will tie you up, so you can't leave until your attack has ended.