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 hardheaded. 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 a thorn patch or a bunch of 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 toward 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.