[24:1] On the tenth day of the tenth month of the ninth year of our exile, the Lord spoke to me.
[24:2] “Mortal man,” he said, “write down today's date, because this is the day that the king of Babylonia is beginning the siege of Jerusalem.
[24:3] Tell my rebellious people this parable that I, the Sovereign Lord, have for them: Set the pot on the fire and fill it up with water.
[24:4] Put in the best pieces of meat— the shoulders and the legs— fill it with choice bony pieces too.
[24:5] Use the meat of the finest sheep; pile the wood under the pot. Let the water boil; boil the bones and the meat.”
[24:6] This is what the Sovereign Lord is saying: “The city of murderers is doomed! It is like a corroded pot that is never cleaned. Piece after piece of meat is taken out, and not one is left.
[24:7] There was murder in the city, but the blood was not spilled on the ground where the dust could hide it; it was spilled on a bare rock.
[24:8] I have left the blood there, where it cannot be hidden, where it demands angry revenge.”
[24:9] This is what the Sovereign Lord is saying: “The city of murderers is doomed! I myself will pile up the firewood.
[24:10] Bring more wood! Fan the flames! Cook the meat! Boil away the broth! Burn up the bones!
[24:11] Now set the empty bronze pot on the coals and let it get red-hot. Then the pot will be ritually pure again after the corrosion is burned off,
[24:12] although all that corrosion will not disappear in the flames.
[24:13] Jerusalem, your immoral actions have defiled you. Although I tried to purify you, you remained defiled. You will not be pure again until you have felt the full force of my anger.
[24:14] I, the Lord, have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not ignore your sins or show pity or be merciful. You will be punished for what you have done.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken.