So as for you, son of man, prepare for yourself baggage for exile and go into exile by day in their sight; that is, go into exile from your place to another place in their sight. (A)Perhaps they will [a]understand, though they are a rebellious house. Bring your baggage out by day in their sight, as baggage for exile. Then you shall go out (B)at evening in their sight, as those who are going into exile. Dig a hole through the wall in their sight and [b]go out through it. Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight and carry it out in the dark. You shall (C)cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a (D)sign to the house of Israel.”

Then I (E)did so, just as I had been commanded. By day I (F)brought out my baggage like the baggage of an exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands; I went out in the dark and carried the baggage on my shoulder in their sight.

And in the morning the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, has the house of Israel, the (G)rebellious house, not said to you, ‘(H)What are you doing?’ 10 Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord [c]God says: “This (I)pronouncement concerns the prince in Jerusalem as well as all the house of Israel who are [d]in it.”’ 11 Say, ‘I am [e]a (J)sign to you. Just as I have done, so it will be done to them; they will (K)go into exile, into captivity.’ 12 The (L)prince who is among them will load his baggage on his shoulder in the dark and go out. [f]They will dig a hole through the wall to bring it out through it. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land with his eyes.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 12:3 Or see that they are
  2. Ezekiel 12:5 Lit bring it out
  3. Ezekiel 12:10 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord, and so throughout the ch
  4. Ezekiel 12:10 Lit in their midst
  5. Ezekiel 12:11 Lit your sign
  6. Ezekiel 12:12 I.e., the king’s attendants

“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) 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) While they watch, dig through the wall(E) and take your belongings out through it. 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.”

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.

In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: “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)

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