And he said to me, (A)“Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel— not to many peoples of foreign speech and a hard language, whose words you cannot understand. (B)Surely, if I sent you to such, they would listen to you. (C)But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel (D)have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. (E)Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. Like (F)emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. (G)Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.” 10 Moreover, he said to me, “Son of man, (H)all my words that I shall speak to you receive (I)in your heart, and hear with your ears. 11 And go to the exiles, (J)to your people, and speak to them and say to them, (K)‘Thus says the Lord God,’ (L)whether they hear or refuse to hear.”

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Then he said to me: Human one, go! Go to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. You aren’t being sent to a people whose language and speech are difficult and obscure but to the house of Israel. No, not to many peoples who speak difficult and obscure languages, whose words you wouldn’t understand. If I did send you to them, they would listen to you. But the house of Israel—they will refuse to listen to you because they refuse to listen to me. The whole house of Israel is hardheaded and hard-hearted too. I’ve now hardened your face so that you can meet them head-on. I’ve made your forehead like a diamond, harder than stone. Don’t be afraid of them or shrink away from them, because they are a household of rebels.

10 He said to me: Human one, listen closely, and take to heart every word I say to you. 11 Then go to the exiles, to your people’s children. Whether they listen or not, speak to them and say: The Lord God proclaims!

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