1 He said to me, “Human, stand up on your feet so I may speak with you.”
2 While he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and put me on my feet. Then I heard the Lord speaking to me.
3 He said, “Human, I am sending you to the people of Israel. That nation has turned against me and broken away from me. They and their ancestors have sinned against me until this very day.
4 I am sending you to people who are stubborn and who do not obey. You will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’
5 They may listen, or they may not, since they are a people who have turned against me. But they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6 You, human, don’t be afraid of the people or their words. Even though they may be like thorny branches and stickers all around you, and though you may feel like you live with poisonous insects, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of their words or their looks, because they are a people who turn against me.
7 But speak my words to them. They may listen, or they may not, because they turn against me.
8 But you, human, listen to what I say to you. Don’t turn against me as those people do. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”
9 Then I looked and saw a hand stretched out to me, and a scroll was in it.
10 He opened the scroll in front of me. Funeral songs, sad writings, and words about troubles were written on the front and back.