19. Speak to the people of the land. Say to them, 'Here is what the Lord and King says about those who live in Jerusalem and Israel. He tells them, "They will be worried as they eat their food. They will not have any hope as they drink their water. Their land will be stripped of everything in it because all those who live there are harming one another.
20. The towns where people live will be completely destroyed. The land will become a dry and empty desert. Then you will know that I am the Lord." ' "
21. A message came to me from the Lord. He said,
22. "Son of man, you have a proverb in the land of Israel. It says, 'The days go by, and not even one vision comes true.'
23. Tell them, 'The Lord and King says, "I am going to put an end to that proverb. They will not use that saying in Israel anymore." ' Tell them, 'The days are coming soon when every vision will come true.
24. There will be no more false visions. People will no longer use magic to find out whether good things are going to happen in Israel.
25. I am the Lord. So I will say what I want to. And it will come true when I want it to. In your days I will do everything I say I will. But you people always refuse to obey me,' announces the Lord and King."
26. A message came to me from the Lord. He said,
27. "Son of man, the people of Israel are saying, 'The vision Ezekiel sees won't come true for many years. He is prophesying about a time that is a long way off.'