First ReadingEzekiel 12:1-12
From the Book of Ezekiel
1The Lord’s word also came to me, saying,2“Son of man, you dwell in the middle of the rebellious house,who have eyes to see,and don’t see, who have ears to hear, and don’t hear;for they are a rebellious house.
3“Therefore, you son of man,prepare your baggage for moving,and move by day in their sight.You shall move from your place to another place in their sight.It may be they will consider,though they are a rebellious house.4You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight,as baggage for moving.You shall go out yourself at evening in their sight,as when men go out into exile.5Dig through the wall in their sight,and carry your baggage out that way.6In their sight you shall bear it on your shoulder,and carry it out in the dark.You shall cover your face,so that you don’t see the land,for I have set you for a sign to the house of Israel.”
7I did so as I was commanded.I brought out my baggage by day,as baggage for moving,and in the evening I dug through the wall with my hand.I brought it out in the dark,and bore it on my shoulder in their sight.
8In the morning, the Lord’s word came to me, saying,9“Son of man, hasn’t the house of Israel,the rebellious house,said to you, ‘What are you doing?’
10“Say to them, ‘The Lord GOD says:“This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem,and all the house of Israel among whom they are.”’
11“Say, ‘I am your sign.As I have done, so will it be done to them.They will go into exile, into captivity.
12“‘The princewho is among them will bear his baggage on his shoulder in the dark, and will go out.They will dig through the wall to carry things out that way.He will cover his face,because he will not see the land with his eyes.