¹⁴ I will smash them one against the other, parents and children alike, declares the Lord. I will allow no pity^(A) or mercy or compassion^(B) to keep me from destroying^(C) them.’”

¹⁶ “Son of man, with one blow^(A) I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes.^(B) Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.^{(C) 17} Groan quietly;^(D) do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban^(E) fastened and your sandals^(F) on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard^(G) or eat the customary food of mourners.^(H)”

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.^(I)

¹⁹ Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things have to do with us?^(J) Why are you acting like this?”

²⁰ So I said to them, “The word of the Lord came to me: ²¹ Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary^(K)—the stronghold in which you take pride,^(L) the delight of your eyes,^(M) the object of your affection. The sons and daughters^(N) you left behind will fall by the sword.^{(O) 22} And you will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and beard^(P) or eat the customary food of mourners.^{(Q) 23} You will keep your turbans^(R) on your heads and your sandals^(S) on your feet. You will not mourn^(T) or weep but will waste away^(U) because of^[a] your sins and groan among yourselves.^(V)