43. There you will remember everything you did that made you unclean. Then you will hate yourselves for all the evil things you have done.
44. I will deal with you to show who I am. Then you will know I am the Lord, people of Israel. But it’s not because of your evil ways or unclean actions, says the Lord God.’”
45. Now the Lord spoke his word to me. He said:
46. “Human being, look toward the south. Prophesy against the south. Prophesy against the forest of the southern area.
47. Say to that forest: ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord God says: I am ready to start a fire in you. The fire will destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The flame that burns will not be put out. All the land from south to north will be burned by the fire.
48. Then all the people will see that I, the Lord, have started the fire. It will not be put out.’”
49. Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! The people are saying about me, ‘He is only telling stories.’”