14 Then the Spirit lifted me and took me away. I went away feeling bitter and angry. The strong power of the Lord came over me.
15 I went to Tel Abib, to the exiles who lived by the Chebar River. I sat there among them for seven days. I was stunned.
16 After seven days the Lord spoke his word to me. He said,
17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the people of Israel. Listen to what I say, and warn them for me.
18 Suppose I tell you that wicked people will surely die, but you don’t warn them or speak out so that they can change their wicked ways in order to save their lives. Then these wicked people will die because of their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths.
19 But suppose you warn the wicked people, and they don’t turn from their wicked ways. Then they will die because of their sin, but you will save yourself.
20 If righteous people turn from living the right way and do wrong, I will make them stumble, and they will die. If you don’t warn them, they will die because of their sin, and the right things they did will not be remembered. I will hold you responsible for their deaths.