1. He said to me, “Human being, stand up on your feet. Then I will speak with you.”
2. While he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and put me on my feet. Then I heard the Lord speaking to me.
3. He said, “Human being, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They are a nation of people who turned against me. They broke away from me. They and their ancestors have sinned against me until this very day.
4. And I am sending you to people who are stubborn. They do not obey. You will say this to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’
5. The people may listen, or they may not. They are a people who turn against me. But whatever they do, they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6. You, human being, don’t be afraid of the people or their words. Thorny branches and thorns may be all around you. And you may live with insects that sting with poison. Don’t be afraid of their words. Don’t be afraid of their looks. They are a people who turn against me.
7. But speak my words to them. They may listen, or they may not, because they turn against me.
8. But you, human being, listen to what I say to you. Don’t turn against me as those people do. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”
9. I looked and saw a hand stretched out to me. A scroll was in the hand.
10. The Lord opened the scroll in front of me. The scroll was written on the front and back. Funeral songs, sad writings and troubles were written on the scroll.