He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to[a] the rebellious pagans[b] who have rebelled against Me. The Israelites and their ancestors have transgressed against Me to this day.(A) The children are obstinate[c] and hardhearted.(B) I am sending you to them, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ Whether they listen or refuse to listen(C)—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.(D)

“But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words,(E) though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions.(F) Don’t be afraid of their words or be discouraged by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house. But speak My words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen,(G) for they are rebellious.

“And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you: Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”(H)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 2:3 Or Israelites [and] to
  2. Ezekiel 2:3 LXX omits to the rebellious pagans
  3. Ezekiel 2:4 Lit hard of face

“Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day. They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.

“Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious! Son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not join them in their rebellion. Open your mouth, and eat what I give you.”

Read full chapter