Parable of the Boiling Pot
1The word of the Lord came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month:
Put the pot24:3 Jr 1:13–14; Ezk 11:3,7,11 on the fire —
put it on,
and then pour water into it!
4Place the pieces of meat in it,
every good piece —
thigh and shoulder.
Fill it with choice bones.
5Take the choicest of the flock
and also pile up the fuel24:5 Lit bones under it.
Bring it to a boil
and cook the bones in it.
6“‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:
Woe to the city of bloodshed,24:6 Ezk 22:2–3,27
the pot that has corrosion inside it,
and its corrosion has not come out of it!
Empty it piece by piece;
lots should not be cast for its contents.
7For the blood she shed24:7 Lit For her blood is still within her.
She put it out on the bare rock;
she didn’t pour it on the ground
to cover it with dust.24:7 Lv 17:13–14; Dt 12:16,24
I have put her blood on the bare rock,
so that it would not be covered.
9“‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:
Woe to the city of bloodshed!24:9 Hab 2:12
I myself will make the pile of kindling large.
10Pile on the logs and kindle the fire!
Cook the meat well
and mix in the spices!24:10 Some Hb mss read well; remove the broth; LXX reads fire so that the meat may be cooked and the broth may be reduced24:10 Or and stir the broth
Let the bones be burned!
11Set the empty pot on its coals
so that it becomes hot and its copper glows.
Then its impurity will melt inside it;
12It has frustrated every effort;24:12 Hb obscure
its thick corrosion will not come off.
Into the fire with its corrosion!
13Because of the depravity of your uncleanness —
since I tried to purify you,
but you would not be purified from your uncleanness —
you will not be pure again
14I, the Lord, have spoken.
It is coming, and I will do it!24:14 Ezk 17:24
I will not refrain, I will not show pity,
and I will not relent.
I24:14 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg; other Hb mss read They will judge you
This is the declaration of the Lord God.’”
The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife: A Sign
15Then the word of the Lord came to me:
16“Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes24:16 1Kg 20:6; Pr 5:18; Ec 9:9; Sg 7:10 away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow.24:16 Jr 16:5; 22:10
17Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead.24:17 Lv 21:10–12 Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners.”24:17 Lit men, also in v. 2224:17 Jr 16:7; Hs 9:4
18I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded.
19Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?”
20So I answered them, “The word of the Lord came to me:
21Say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your heart. Also, the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.24:21 Jr 6:11; 16:3–4; Ezk 23:25,47
22Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners.
23Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not lament or weep24:23 Jb 27:15; Ps 78:64 but will waste away24:23 Lv 26:39 because of your iniquities and will groan to one another.
24Now Ezekiel will be a sign for you.24:24 Ezk 4:3; Lk 11:29–30 You will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord God.’
25“As for you, son of man, know that on that day I will take from them their stronghold — their pride and joy, the delight of their eyes, and the longing of their hearts — as well as their sons and daughters.
26On that day a fugitive will come to you and report the news.24:26 Ezk 33:21–22
27On that day your mouth will be opened to talk with him; you will speak and no longer be mute.24:27 Ezk 3:26–27 So you will be a sign for them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”
Prophecies Against the Nations
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.