³ He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.^{(A) 4} The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn.^(B) Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’^{(C) 5} And whether they listen or fail to listen^(D)—for they are a rebellious people^(E)—they will know that a prophet has been among them.^{(F) 6} And you, son of man, do not be afraid^(G) of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns^(H) are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.^{(I) 7} You must speak^(J) my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.^{(K) 8} But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel^(L) like that rebellious people;^(M) open your mouth and eat^(N) what I give you.”

⁹ Then I looked, and I saw a hand^(O) stretched out to me. In it was a scroll,^{(P) 10} which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.^(Q)

3 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.” ² So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.

³ Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate^(R) it, and it tasted as sweet as honey^(S) in my mouth.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(A) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(B) gentleness and patience.^{(C) 13} Bear with each other^(D) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(E) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(F) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(G)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(H) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(I) you were called to peace.^(J) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(K) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(L) through psalms,^(M) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(N) 17} And whatever you do,^(O) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(P) to God the Father through him.