Ezekiel 12:17-28

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Judgment Not Postponed

¹⁷ The word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁸ Mortal, eat your bread with quaking and drink your water with trembling and with fearfulness; ¹⁹ and say to the people of the land: “Thus says the Lord God concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with fearfulness and drink their water in dismay, because their land shall be stripped of all it contains, on account of the violence of all those who live in it.^{(A) 20} The inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”^(B)

²¹ The word of the Lord came to me: 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”?^{(C) 23} Tell them therefore, “Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall use it no more as a proverb in Israel.” But say to them: “The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.^{(D) 24} For there shall no longer be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.^{(E) 25} But I the Lord will speak the word that I speak, and it will be fulfilled. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and fulfill it, says the Lord God.”^(F)

²⁶ The word of the Lord came to me: ²⁷ Mortal, the house of Israel is saying, “The vision that he sees is for many years ahead; he prophesies for distant times.”^{(G) 28} Therefore say to them, “Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be fulfilled, says the Lord God.”^(H)