First ReadingEzekiel 24:15-23
From the Book of Ezekiel
15Also the Lord’s word came to me, saying,16“Son of man, behold,I will take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke;yet you shall neither mourn nor weep,neither shall your tears run down.17Sigh, but not aloud.Make no mourning for the dead.Bind your headdress on you,and put your sandals on your feet.Don’t cover your lips, and don’t eat mourner’s bread.”
18So I spoke to the people in the morning,and at evening my wife died.So I did in the morning as I was commanded.
19The people asked me,“Won’t you tell us what these things mean to us,that you act like this?”
20Then I said to them, “The Lord’s word came to me, saying,21‘Speak to the house of Israel, “The Lord GOD says:‘Behold, I will profane my sanctuary,the pride of your power,the desire of your eyes,and that which your soul pities;and your sons and your daughterswhom you have left behind will fall by the sword.22You will do as I have done.You won’t cover your lips or eat mourner’s bread.23Your turbans will be on your heads,and your sandals on your feet.You won’t mourn or weep;but you will pine away in your iniquities,and moan one toward another.