[24:15] The Lord spoke to me.
[24:16] “Mortal man,” he said, “with one blow I am going to take away the person you love most. You are not to complain or cry or shed any tears.
[24:17] Don't let your sobbing be heard. Do not go bareheaded or barefoot as a sign of mourning. Don't cover your face or eat the food that mourners eat.”
[24:18] Early in the day I was talking with the people. That evening my wife died, and the next day I did as I had been told.
[24:19] The people asked me, “Why are you acting like this?”
[24:20] So I said to them, “The Lord spoke to me and told me
[24:21] to give you Israelites this message: You are proud of the strength of the Temple. You like to look at it and to visit it, but the Lord is going to profane it. And the younger members of your families who are left in Jerusalem will be killed in war.
[24:22] Then you will do what I have done. You will not cover your faces or eat the food that mourners eat.
[24:23] You will not go bareheaded or barefoot or mourn or cry. You will waste away because of your sins, and you will groan to one another.
[24:24] Then I will be a sign to you; you will do everything I have done. The Lord says that when this happens, you will know that he is the Sovereign Lord.”
[24:25] The Lord said, “Now, mortal man, I will take away from them the strong Temple that was their pride and joy, which they liked to look at and to visit. And I will take away their sons and daughters.
[24:26] On the day that I do this, some who escape the destruction will come and tell you about it.
[24:27] That same day you will get back the power of speech which you had lost, and you will talk with them. In this way you will be a sign to the people, and they will know that I am the Lord.”