Ezekiel 24:16–23

¹⁶“Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes^e away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow.^{f 17}Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead.^g Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners.”^h

¹⁸I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded. ¹⁹Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?”

²⁰So I answered them, “The word of the Lord came to me: ²¹Say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your heart. Also, the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.^{i 22}Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners. ²³Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not lament or weep^j but will waste away^k because of your iniquities and will groan to one another.