Ezekiel 12:17-28

Then YAHWEH spoke to me, saying: “Son of man, eat your food with quaking and trembling. Shudder with fear as you drink your water. Tell the people, ‘Lord YAHWEH says this to the inhabitants of Jerusalem who remain in the land of Israel. They will tremble as they eat their food, and shake with fear when they drink their water because their enemies will strip the land bare on account of the violence of those who live there. When your populous cities have been destroyed and the countryside has been deserted, then you will recognize that I am YAHWEH.’ ” YAHWEH spoke to me, saying, “Son of man, what do you understand of the proverb you say among yourselves in the land of Israel, ‘Time goes by, and these visions never happen’? Very well, tell them, ‘Lord YAHWEH says this: I will put an end to this proverb, and it will never be repeated in Israel again.’ Tell them instead: ‘The time has arrived for every vision to come true, for there will be no more false visions or deceptive prophecy among the people of Israel. I, YAHWEH, will speak the word, and what I say will come true without delay. For what I speak, I will accomplish in your own lifetime, you tribe of rebels. For I, Lord YAHWEH, have spoken!’ ” YAHWEH spoke to me again, saying, “Son of man, behold, the people of Israel are saying that your visions and prophecies are about the distant future, not today. They say, ‘He is prophesying of times in the distant future.’ So tell them, ‘Lord YAHWEH says to you: There will be no more delay. My words will be fulfilled now! What I have prophesied will be done. Lord YAHWEH has spoken!’ ”