Ezekiel 3:1-11

1He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find [in this book]; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.”

2So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll.

3He said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll that I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

4Then He said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak My words to them.

5For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel,

6not to many peoples of unintelligible speech or difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. But I have sent you to them who should listen to you and pay attention to My message;

7yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you and obey you, since they are not willing to listen to Me and obey Me, for the entire house of Israel is stubborn and obstinate.

8Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads.

9I have made your forehead like emery (diamond), harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them, though they are a rebellious house.”

10Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words which I will speak to you and hear with your ears (listen closely).

11Go to the [Jewish] exiles [in Babylon], to the children of your people, and speak to them, whether they listen or not, and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ ”