18So in the morning I was teaching the people and in the evening death took my wife; and in the morning I did what I had been ordered to do.
19And the people said to me, Will you not make clear to us the sense of these things; is it for us you do them?
20Then I said to them, The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
21Say to the people of Israel, The Lord has said, See, I will make my holy place unclean, the pride of your strength, the pleasure of your eyes, and the desire of your soul; and your sons and daughters, who did not come with you here, will be put to the sword.
22And you will do as I have done, not covering your lips or taking the food of those in grief.
23And your head-dresses will be on your heads and your shoes on your feet: there will be no sorrow or weeping; but you will be wasting away in the punishment of your evil-doing, and you will be looking at one another in wonder.
24And Ezekiel will be a sign to you; everything he has done you will do: when this takes place, you will be certain that I am the Lord.