1. The Lord said, “Ezekiel, son of man, I want you to stand up and listen.”
2. After he said this, his Spirit took control of me and lifted me to my feet. Then the Lord said:
3. Ezekiel, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They are just like their ancestors who rebelled against me and refused to stop.
4. They are stubborn and hard-headed. But I, the Lord God, have chosen you to tell them what I say.
5. Those rebels may not even listen, but at least they will know that a prophet has come to them.
6. Don't be afraid of them or of anything they say. You may think you're in the middle of thorn bushes or scorpions. But be brave
7. and preach my message to them, whether they choose to listen or not.
8. Ezekiel, don't rebel against me, as they have done. Instead, listen to everything I tell you.And now, Ezekiel, open your mouth and eat what I am going to give you.
9. Just then, I saw a hand stretched out towards me. And in it was a scroll.
10. The hand opened the scroll, and both sides of it were filled with words of sadness, mourning, and grief.