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The Lord Speaks to Ezekiel

He said to me, “·Human [T Son of man; C used 93 times in the book to address the prophet; it means “human being” and stresses the frailty of humanity in contrast to the sovereignty of God], stand up on your feet so I may speak with you.” While he spoke to me, ·the Spirit [or a spirit; or a wind] entered me and put me on my feet. Then I heard ·the Lord [L him] speaking to me.

He said, “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], I am sending you to the ·people [L sons; T children] of Israel, that nation of rebels who have ·turned [rebelled] against me. They and their ·ancestors [fathers] have ·sinned [revolted; transgressed] against me ·until [to] this very day. I am sending you to people who are ·stubborn [impudent] and ·who do not obey [stubborn; obstinate]. You will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ They may listen, or they may not, since they are a ·people who have turned against me [L rebellious house]. But they will know that a prophet has been among them. You, ·human [T son of man; 2:1], don’t be afraid of ·the people [L them] or their words. Even though ·they may be like thorny branches and stickers [L briars and thorns are] all around you, and though you ·may feel like you live with stinging [L sit among; or dwell among] scorpions, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of their words or terrified by their looks, because they are a ·people who turn against me [L rebellious house]. But speak my words to them. They may listen, or they may not, because they ·turn against me [are rebellious]. But you, ·human [T son of man; 2:1], listen to what I say to you. Don’t ·turn against me [rebel] ·as those people do [L like that rebellious house]. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”

Then I looked and ·saw [T behold] a hand stretched out to me, and a ·scroll [scroll with writing on it; L scroll of a document/book] was in it [Jer. 36:2; Rev. 10:2]. 10 He ·opened [unrolled] the scroll in front of me. Written on the front and back were ·funeral songs, sad writings, and warnings about disaster [L words of lament, mourning, and woe].

He said to me, “Human being! Stand up! I want to speak with you!” As he spoke to me, a spirit entered me and put me on my feet, and I heard him who was speaking to me. He said, “Human being! I am sending you to the people of Isra’el, that nation of rebels who have rebelled against me — they and their ancestors have been transgressing against me to this very day. Because they are defiant, hardhearted children, I am sending you; and you are to tell them, ‘Here is what Adonai Elohim says.’ Whether they listen or not, this rebellious house will still know that a prophet has been among them!

“As for you, human being, don’t be afraid of them or their words, even if briars and thorns surround you, and you sit among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words or be upset by their looks, for they are a rebellious house. You are to speak my words to them, whether they listen or not, for they are very rebellious. But you, human being, hear what I am telling you: don’t you be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth, and eat what I am about to give you.”

When I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me, holding a scroll. 10 He spread it out in front of me, and it was covered with writing front and back. Written on it were laments, dirges and woes.