²² Mortal, what is this proverb of yours about the land of Israel that says, “The days are prolonged, and every vision comes to nothing”?^(A)

² What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”?^{(A) 3} As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel.

³ they say, ‘The time is not near to build houses; this city is the pot, and we are the meat.’^(A)

²⁷ Mortal, the house of Israel is saying, “The vision that he sees is for many years ahead; he prophesies for distant times.”^(A)

³ First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts^{(A) 4} and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died,^[a] all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!”^(B)

³³ When this people or a prophet or a priest asks you, “What is the burden of the Lord?” you shall say to them, “You are the burden.^[a] I will cast you off, says the Lord.”^{(A) 34} And as for the prophet, priest, or the people who say, “The burden of the Lord,” I will punish them and their households.^{(B) 35} Thus shall you say to one another, among yourselves, “What has the Lord answered?” or “What has the Lord spoken?”^{(C) 36} But “the burden of the Lord” you shall mention no more, for the burden is everyone’s own word, and so you pervert the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God.^{(D) 37} Thus you shall ask the prophet, “What has the Lord answered you?” or “What has the Lord spoken?” ³⁸ But if you say, “the burden of the Lord,” thus says the Lord: Because you have said these words, “the burden of the Lord,” when I sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘the burden of the Lord,’ ” ³⁹ therefore, I will surely lift you up^[b] and cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your ancestors.^{(E) 40} And I will bring upon you everlasting disgrace and perpetual shame that shall not be forgotten.^(F)