¹⁷ “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say^(A) to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified^(B) by them, or I will terrify you before them.

⁴⁶ The power^(A) of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt,^(B) he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

⁷ But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid^(A) of them, for I am with you^(B) and will rescue^(C) you,” declares the Lord.^(D)

Be Holy

¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,^(A) set your hope^(B) on the grace to be brought to you^(C) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.^(D)

¹⁴ The Spirit^(A) then lifted me up^(B) and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord^(C) on me. ¹⁵ I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River.^(D) And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days^(E)—deeply distressed.

Ezekiel’s Task as Watchman

¹⁶ At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me:^{(F) 17} “Son of man, I have made you a watchman^(G) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.^{(H) 18} When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,^(I)’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for^[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.^(J)