4 Then the Lord said to me, “Human being, go to the people of Israel. Speak my words to them.
5 You are not being sent to people whose speech you can’t understand. Their language is not difficult. You are being sent to Israel.
6 You are not being sent to many nations whose speech you can’t understand. The language of Israel is not difficult. You are not being sent to people whose words you cannot understand. If I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.
7 But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you. This is because they are not willing to listen to me. Yes, all the people of Israel are stubborn and will not obey.
8 See, I have made you as stubborn as they are. You will be as hard as they are.
9 I have made you as hard as a diamond, harder than stone. Don’t be afraid of them. Don’t be frightened by them. They are a people who turn against me.”
10 Also, the Lord said to me, “Human being, believe all the words that I will speak to you. And listen carefully.