Ezekiel 24:15-27

YAHWEH spoke to me and said, “Son of man, behold, in the blink of an eye I am about to take from you your heart’s dearest treasure, the one you love the most. But you must not weep or wail or let your tears stream down your cheeks. Let no one hear your sobbing; don’t show that you are grieving. Wrap a turban around your head, put sandals on your feet, and dress normally. Don’t cover your face, and don’t eat the customary food of mourners.” So, I preached to the people the next day as usual, and by evening, my wife had died. And I did as I had been instructed. The people then said to me, “What’s the meaning of this? Why are you acting this way?” Then YAHWEH spoke to me and I replied, “YAHWEH told me to prophesy to the people of Israel the words of Lord YAHWEH: ‘Behold! I am about to make my sanctuary ritually unclean. My temple has become your boast, the pride of your strength, the delight of your eyes, the joy of your hearts, and you believe it will keep you safe. But your children whom you left behind in Jerusalem will be killed by the sword. Then you will do as I have done; you will not cover your faces nor eat the customary food of mourners. You will keep turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn nor weep but will waste away for your sins and groan among yourselves. Thus Ezekiel is a sign for you. Everything he has done, you will do. And when this happens, you will certainly know that I am Lord YAHWEH.’ ” “And you, son of man, this is what will happen on the day that I deprive them of their temple-stronghold, their beautiful joy and glory, their heart’s desire, and their greatest treasure—I will also take away their sons and daughters. And on that day a survivor from Jerusalem will bring you the report. That same day, when he comes to you, your mouth will be opened, and you will be able to prophesy to the survivor and be silent no longer. And you will be a living symbol of hope for them, and they will see and acknowledge that I am YAHWEH!”