15 The word of the Lord came to me:
16 "Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight
of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.
17 Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened
and your sandals on your feet; do not cover the lower part of your face
or eat the customary food [of mourners]."
18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife
died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.
19 Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things have to
do with us?"
20 So I said to them, "The word of the Lord came to me:
21 Say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I
am about to desecrate my sanctuary -- the stronghold in which you take
pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons
and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.
22 And you will do as I have done. You will not cover the lower part of
your face or eat the customary food [of mourners].
23 You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet.
You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of your sins and
groan among yourselves.
24 Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When
this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.'
25 "And you, son of man, on that day I take away their stronghold, their
joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart's desire, and
their sons and daughters as well --
26 on that day a fugitive will come to tell you the news.
27 At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will
no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know
that I am the Lord."