Ezekiel 2
The Lord Appoints Ezekiel to Speak for Him
1He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet. I will speak to you.” 2As he spoke, the Spirit of the Lord came into me. He raised me to my feet. I heard him speaking to me.
3He said, “Son of man, I am sending you to the people of Israel. That nation has refused to obey me. They have turned against me. They and their people of long ago have been against me to this day. 4The people I am sending you to are very stubborn. Tell them, ‘Here is what the Lord and King says.’ 5They might listen, or they might not. After all, they refuse to obey me. But whether they listen or not, they will know that a prophet was among them. 6Son of man, do not be afraid of them or of what they say. Do not be afraid, even if thorns and bushes are all around you. Do not be afraid, even if you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say. Do not be terrified by them. They always refuse to obey me. 7You must give them my message. They might listen, or they might not. After all, they refuse to obey me. 8Son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not be like those who refuse to obey me. Open your mouth. Eat what I give you.”
9Then I looked up. I saw a hand reach out to me. A scroll was in it. 10He unrolled it in front of me. Both sides had words written on them. They spoke about sadness, sorrow and trouble.