5 You aren’t being sent to a people whose language and speech are difficult and obscure but to the house of Israel.
6 No, not to many peoples who speak difficult and obscure languages, whose words you wouldn’t understand. If I did send you to them, they would listen to you.
7 But the house of Israel—they will refuse to listen to you because they refuse to listen to me. The whole house of Israel is hardheaded and hard-hearted too.
8 I’ve now hardened your face so that you can meet them head-on.
9 I’ve made your forehead like a diamond, harder than stone. Don’t be afraid of them or shrink away from them, because they are a household of rebels.
10 He said to me: Human one, listen closely, and take to heart every word I say to you.
11 Then go to the exiles, to your people’s children. Whether they listen or not, speak to them and say: The Lord God proclaims!