1 The Lord spoke to me.
2 “Mortal man,” he said, “tell your people what happens when I bring war to a land. The people of that country choose one of their number to be a lookout.
3 When he sees the enemy approaching, he sounds the alarm to warn everyone.
4 If someone hears it but pays no attention and the enemy comes and kills him, then he is to blame for his own death.
5 His death is his own fault, because he paid no attention to the warning. If he had paid attention, he could have escaped.
6 If, however, the lookout sees the enemy coming and does not sound the alarm, the enemy will come and kill those sinners, but I will hold the lookout responsible for their death.
7 “Now, mortal man, I am making you a lookout for the nation of Israel. You must pass on to them the warnings I give you.