³ He said, “·Human [^TSon of man; 2:1], I am sending you to the ·people [^Lsons; ^Tchildren] of Israel, that nation of rebels who have ·turned [rebelled] against me. They and their ·ancestors [fathers] have ·sinned [revolted; transgressed] against me ·until [to] this very day. ⁴ I am sending you to people who are ·stubborn [impudent] and ·who do not obey [stubborn; obstinate]. You will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ ⁵ They may listen, or they may not, since they are a ·people who have turned against me [^Lrebellious house]. But they will know that a prophet has been among them. ⁶ You, ·human [^Tson of man; 2:1], don’t be afraid of ·the people [^Lthem] or their words. Even though ·they may be like thorny branches and stickers [^Lbriars and thorns are] all around you, and though you ·may feel like you live with stinging [^Lsit among; or dwell among] scorpions, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of their words or terrified by their looks, because they are a ·people who turn against me [^Lrebellious house]. ⁷ But speak my words to them. They may listen, or they may not, because they ·turn against me [are rebellious]. ⁸ But you, ·human [^Tson of man; 2:1], listen to what I say to you. Don’t ·turn against me [rebel] ·as those people do [^Llike that rebellious house]. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”