24:18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. In the morning 1 I acted just as I was commanded. 24:19 Then the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?”
24:20 So I said to them: “The word of the Lord came to me: 24:21 Say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Realize I am about to desecrate my sanctuary – the source of your confident pride, 2 the object in which your eyes delight, 3 and your life’s passion. 4 Your very own sons and daughters whom you have left behind will die 5 by the sword. 24:22 Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lip or eat food brought by others. 6 24:23 Your turbans will be on your heads and your sandals on your feet; you will not mourn or weep, but you will rot 7 for your iniquities 8 and groan among yourselves. 24:24 Ezekiel will be an object lesson for you; you will do all that he has done. When it happens, then you will know that I am the sovereign Lord.’
24:25 “And you, son of man, this is what will happen on the day I take 9 from them their stronghold – their beautiful source of joy, the object in which their eyes delight, and the main concern of their lives, 10 as well as their sons and daughters: 11 24:26 On that day a fugitive will come to you to report the news. 12 24:27 On that day you will be able to speak again; 13 you will talk with the fugitive and be silent no longer. You will be an object lesson for them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”