³ He said to me, “Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation^[a] of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day.^{(A) 4} The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’^{(B) 5} Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.^{(C) 6} And you, O mortal, do not be afraid of them, and do not be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words, and do not be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.^{(D) 7} You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.^(E)