Then He said to me, “Son of man, [a]go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. For (A)you are not being sent to a people of [b](B)unintelligible speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel, nor to many peoples of [c]unintelligible speech or difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. [d]But I have sent you to [e]the people who understand you; yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, since they are (C)not willing to listen to Me. The entire house of Israel certainly is [f]stubborn and obstinate. Behold, I have made your face just as hard as their faces, and your forehead just as hard as their foreheads. Like emery harder than flint I have made your forehead. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them, since they are a rebellious house.” 10 Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, take into your heart all My (D)words which I will speak to you and listen [g]closely. 11 [h]Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or [i]not, ‘This is what the Lord [j]God says.’”

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 3:4 Lit go, come
  2. Ezekiel 3:5 Lit deep lip and heavy tongue
  3. Ezekiel 3:6 Lit deep lip and heavy tongue
  4. Ezekiel 3:6 Or I certainly have sent
  5. Ezekiel 3:6 Lit them, they understand
  6. Ezekiel 3:7 Lit of a hard forehead and hard of heart
  7. Ezekiel 3:10 Lit with your ears
  8. Ezekiel 3:11 Lit Go, come
  9. Ezekiel 3:11 Lit refrain
  10. Ezekiel 3:11 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord

He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them.(A) You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language,(B) but to the people of Israel— not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.(C) But the people of Israel are not willing to listen(D) to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate.(E) But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are.(F) I will make your forehead(G) like the hardest stone, harder than flint.(H) Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.(I)

10 And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart(J) all the words I speak to you. 11 Go(K) now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’(L) whether they listen or fail to listen.(M)

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