Ezekiel 12:3-16

New International Version

³ “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps^(A) they will understand,^(B) though they are a rebellious people.^{(C) 4} During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile.^{(D) 5} While they watch, dig through the wall^(E) and take your belongings out through it. ⁶ Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign^(F) to the Israelites.”

⁷ So I did as I was commanded.^(G) During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulders while they watched.

⁸ In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: ⁹ “Son of man, did not the Israelites, that rebellious people, ask you, ‘What are you doing?’^(H)

¹⁰ “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.’ ¹¹ Say to them, ‘I am a sign^(I) to you.’

“As I have done, so it will be done to them. They will go into exile as captives.^(J)

¹² “The prince among them will put his things on his shoulder at dusk^(K) and leave, and a hole will be dug in the wall for him to go through. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.^{(L) 13} I will spread my net^(M) for him, and he will be caught in my snare;^(N) I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans,^(O) but he will not see^(P) it, and there he will die.^{(Q) 14} I will scatter to the winds all those around him—his staff and all his troops—and I will pursue them with drawn sword.^(R)

¹⁵ “They will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations^(S) and scatter them through the countries. ¹⁶ But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the Lord.^(T)”