11:2. And he said to me: Son of man, these are the men that study iniquity, and frame a wicked counsel in this city,
11:3. Saying: Were not houses lately built? This city is the caldron, and we the flesh.
Were not houses lately built, etc.... These men despised the predictions and threats of the prophets; who declared to them from God, that the city should be destroyed, and the inhabitants carried into captivity: and they made use of this kind of argument against the prophets, that the city, so far from being like to be destroyed, had lately been augmented by the building of new houses; from whence they further inferred, by way of a proverb, using the similitude of a cauldron, out of which the flesh is not taken, till it is thoroughly boiled, and fit to be eaten, that they should not be carried away out of their city, but there end their days in peace.
11:4. Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, thou son of man.
11:5. And the spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me: Speak: Thus saith the Lord: Thus have you spoken, O house of Israel, for I know the thoughts of your heart.
11:6. You have killed a great many in this city, and you have filled the streets thereof with the slain.
11:7. Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Your slain, whom you have laid in the midst thereof, they are the flesh, and this is the caldron: and I will bring you forth out of the midst thereof.
11:8. You have feared the sword, and I will bring the sword upon you, saith the Lord God.
11:9. And I will cast you out of the midst thereof, and I will deliver you into the hand of the enemies, and I will execute judgments upon you.
11:10. You shall fall by the sword: I will judge you in the borders of Israel, and you shall know that I am the Lord.