Ezekiel 24:1-6

1 The Message of God came to me in the ninth year, the tenth month, and the tenth day of the month:
2 "Son of man, write down this date. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.
3 Tell this company of rebels a story: "'Put on the soup pot. Fill it with water.
4 Put chunks of meat into it, all the choice pieces - loin and brisket. Pick out the best soup bones
5 from the best of the sheep in the flock. Pile wood beneath the pot. Bring it to a boil and cook the soup.
6 "'God, the Master, says: "'Doom to the city of murder, to the pot thick with scum, thick with a filth that can't be scoured. Empty the pot piece by piece; don't bother who gets what.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.