1. The word of the Lord came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month:
2. “Son of man, write down today’s date, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.
3. Now speak a parable to the rebellious house. Tell them: This is what the Lord God says:Put the pot on the fire —put it on,and then pour water into it!
4. Place the pieces of meat in it,every good piece —thigh and shoulder.Fill it with choice bones.
5. Take the choicest of the flockand also pile up the fuel under it.Bring it to a boiland cook the bones in it.”
6. Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:Woe to the city of bloodshed, the pot that has rust inside it,and whose rust will not come off!Empty it piece by piece;lots should not be cast for its contents.
7. For the blood she shed is still within her.She put it out on the bare rock;she didn’t pour it on the groundto cover it with dust.
8. In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have put her blood on the bare rock,so that it would not be covered.
9. Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:Woe to the city of bloodshed! I Myself will make the pile of kindling large.
10. Pile on the logs and kindle the fire!Cook the meat welland mix in the spices! Let the bones be burned!
11. Set the empty pot on its coalsso that it becomes hot and its copper glows.Then its impurity will melt inside it;its rust will be consumed.
12. It has frustrated every effort; its thick rust will not come off.Into the fire with its rust!
13. Because of the indecency of your uncleanness —since I tried to purify you,but you would not be purified from your uncleanness —you will not be pure againuntil I have satisfied My wrath on you.
14. I, Yahweh, have spoken.It is coming, and I will do it! I will not refrain, I will not show pity,and I will not relent.I will judge youaccording to your ways and deeds. This is the declaration of the Lord God.
15. Then the word of the Lord came to me:
16. “Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow.