(It was the fifth year since King Jehoiachin had been taken into exile.)

It was the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of our exile. Some of the leaders of the Israelite community came to consult me about the LORD's will, and they sat down in front of me.

On the tenth day of the tenth month of the ninth year of our exile, the LORD spoke to me.

On the first day of the...month of the eleventh year of our exile, the LORD spoke to me.

On the twelfth day of the tenth month of the tenth year of our exile, the LORD spoke to me.

On the first day of the first month of the twenty-seventh year of our exile, the LORD spoke to me.

On the first day of the third month of the eleventh year of our exile, the LORD spoke to me.

On the fifteenth day of the first month of the twelfth year of our exile, the LORD spoke to me.

It was the tenth day of the new year, which was the twenty-fifth year after we had been taken into exile and the fourteenth year after Jerusalem was captured. On that day I felt the powerful presence of the LORD, and he carried me away.

Some of the leaders of the Israelites came to consult me about the LORD's will.

"Now speak to them and tell them what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying to them: Each of you Israelites who have given your heart to idols and let them lead you into sin and who then come to consult a prophet, will get an answer from me---the answer that your many idols deserve!

It was the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of our exile. Some of the leaders of the Israelite community came to consult me about the LORD's will, and they sat down in front of me.

So my people crowd in to hear what you have to say, but they don't do what you tell them to do. Loving words are on their lips, but they continue their greedy ways.

It is the duty of priests to teach the true knowledge of God. People should go to them to learn my will, because they are the messengers of the LORD Almighty.

I have not wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.

There in Babylonia beside the Chebar River, I heard the LORD speak to me, and I felt his power.

Then God's spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the loud roar of a voice that said, "Praise the glory of the LORD in heaven above!"

The power of the LORD came on me with great force, and as his spirit carried me off, I felt bitter and angry.

I felt the powerful presence of the LORD and heard him say to me, "Get up and go out into the valley. I will talk to you there."

I felt the powerful presence of the LORD, and his spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered with bones.