The Exile Symbolized

12 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people.^(A) They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.^(B)

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^(C) they will understand,^(D) though they are a rebellious people.^{(E) 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.^{(F) 5} While they watch, dig through the wall^(G) 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^(H) to the Israelites.”

⁷ So I did as I was commanded.^(I) 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?’^(J)

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^(K) to you.’

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

¹² “The prince among them will put his things on his shoulder at dusk^(M) 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.^{(N) 13} I will spread my net^(O) for him, and he will be caught in my snare;^(P) I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans,^(Q) but he will not see^(R) it, and there he will die.^{(S) 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.^(T)

¹⁵ “They will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations^(U) 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.^(V)”

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(A) being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(B) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(C) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^{(D) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise^(E) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(F) make the most of every opportunity.^{(G) 6} Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(H) seasoned with salt,^(I) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(J)

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus^(K) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[a](L) in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^{(M) 9} He is coming with Onesimus,^(N) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(O) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(P) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(Q) the cousin of Barnabas.^(R) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[c] among my co-workers^(S) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(T) who is one of you^(U) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(V) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(W) and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(X) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke,^(Y) the doctor, and Demas^(Z) send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(AA) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(AB)

¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(AC) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus:^(AD) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”^(AE)

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(AF) Remember^(AG) my chains.^(AH) Grace be with you.^(AI)

¹⁷ The word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁸ “Son of man, tremble as you eat your food,^(A) and shudder in fear as you drink your water. ¹⁹ Say to the people of the land: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything^(B) in it because of the violence of all who live there.^{(C) 20} The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.^(D)’”

There Will Be No Delay

²¹ The word of the Lord came to me: ²² “Son of man, what is this proverb^(E) you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’?^{(F) 23} Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near^(G) when every vision will be fulfilled.^{(H) 24} For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations^(I) among the people of Israel. ²⁵ But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay.^(J) For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill^(K) whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(L)’”

²⁶ The word of the Lord came to me: ²⁷ “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’^(M)

²⁸ “Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

Jesus Arrested^(A)

18 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley.^(B) On the other side there was a garden,^(C) and he and his disciples went into it.^(D)

² Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.^{(E) 3} So Judas came to the garden, guiding^(F) a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees.^(G) They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

⁴ Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him,^(H) went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”^(I)

⁵ “Jesus of Nazareth,”^(J) they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ⁶ When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

⁷ Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”^(K)

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ⁹ This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”^[a](L)

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

¹¹ Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup^(M) the Father has given me?”

¹² Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials^(N) arrested Jesus. They bound him ¹³ and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,^(O) the high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.^(P)

Peter’s First Denial^(Q)

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest,^(R) he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,^{(S) 16} but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

¹⁷ “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”^(T)

¹⁸ It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire^(U) they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.^(V)

The High Priest Questions Jesus^(W)

¹⁹ Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

²⁰ “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues^(X) or at the temple,^(Y) where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.^{(Z) 21} Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials^(AA) nearby slapped him in the face.^(AB) “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

²³ “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”^{(AC) 24} Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas^(AD) the high priest.

Peter’s Second and Third Denials^(AE)

²⁵ Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself.^(AF) So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”^(AG)

²⁶ One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off,^(AH) challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”^{(AI) 27} Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.^(AJ)