18. So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
19. And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?
20. Then I answered them, The word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
21. Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.
22. And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.
23. And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.
24. Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord God.
25. Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,
26. That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears?
27. In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the Lord.