⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman^(A) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.^(B)

² “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard^(A) of the Lord’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord.^(B) Tell^(C) them everything I command you; do not omit^(D) a word.

¹⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman^(A) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.^{(B) 18} When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,^(C)’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for^[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.^{(D) 19} But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn^(E) from their wickedness^(F) or from their evil ways, they will die^(G) for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.^(H)

²⁰ “Again, when a righteous person turns^(I) from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block^(J) before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.^{(K) 21} But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.^(L)”

²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”^(A)

¹⁷ Have confidence in your leaders^(A) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you^(B) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

⁷ You must speak^(A) my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.^{(B) 8} But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel^(C) like that rebellious people;^(D) open your mouth and eat^(E) what I give you.”

¹⁷ “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say^(A) to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified^(B) by them, or I will terrify you before them.

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) we instructed you how to live^(B) in order to please God,^(C) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.