10. So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.
11. Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’
12. Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel.
13. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the lord.
14. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the lord has spoken!’”
15. Again a message came to me from the lord:
16. “Son of man, take a piece of wood and carve on it these words: ‘This represents Judah and its allied tribes.’ Then take another piece and carve these words on it: ‘This represents Ephraim and the northern tribes of Israel.’
17. Now hold them together in your hand as if they were one piece of wood.
18. When your people ask you what your actions mean,