EGW WritingsEzekiel 3

Testimony for the Church — No. 8

Letter to Bro. Steward

T08 13.1

You chose to have your way. And now you have only to blame yourself. You professed to be a watchman on the walls of Zion, a shepherd of the flock, yet witnessed the poor sheep torn and scattered, and gave no warning. “Son of man I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not and he doth not sin, he shall surely live because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 3.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 63, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 63, 1895, par. 37

In the taking of Jericho the Lord God of hosts was the Mighty General of armies to command the plan of battle both for the heavenly and human agencies in such a way that not one human hand should be set to take down the walls of Jericho, lest man should take credit to himself of achieving victories when God was the One to be glorified. So it shall be in the work in which we engage. No glory is to be given to human agencies, but the Lord God alone is to be magnified. Please read carefully the third chapter of Ezekiel. The Lord God must be our entire dependence and trust. Ever bear in mind also: the Lord God of Israel has need of every agency that holds the truth in righteousness; as human living agents we are to stand in full view of the cross of Calvary, and raise our voice in earnest proclamation and invitation, “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 58, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 58, 1895, par. 24

In the taking of Jericho the Lord God of Hosts was the general of the army. He made the plan for the battle and united heavenly and human agencies to act a part in the work, but no human hand touched the walls of Jericho. God so arranged the plan that man could take no credit to himself for achieving the victory. God alone is to be glorified. So it shall be with the work in which we are engaged. The glory is not to be given to human agencies; the Lord alone is to be magnified. Please read carefully the third chapter of Ezekiel. We must learn to put our entire dependence upon God, and yet we must ever bear in mind that the Lord God has need of every agency that holds the truth in righteousness. As workers for Christ we are to stand in view of the cross of Calvary, proclaiming to the world, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29.] We are to proclaim the third angel’s message with our human voices, and it is to go to the world with power and glory.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 132, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 132, 1898, par. 26

God chooses His workers from all classes of people, and imbues them with His own spirit. So it was in ancient times. The men and women of God’s selection were of intense earnestness, full of zeal. The last books of the Old Testament show us workers taken from the laborers in the field. Others were men of high ability and extensive learning, but the Lord gave them visions and messages. These men of the Old Testament spoke of the things transpiring in their day, and Daniel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel not only spoke of things that concerned them as present truth, but their sight reached down to the future, and to what should occur in these last days.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 198, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 198, 1906, par. 3

Now, my brethren, be careful what course you pursue. Our Boulder Sanitarium was established at a large outlay of means. It has undertaken a great work, but it has not been properly sustained. Those who have borne the burden of its work, have had cause for great discouragement; and now if you desire to engage in sanitarium work after the order of God, do not connect with the one that is unwisely located close by the Boulder Sanitarium. God has been measuring the mind, the motive, the character that has led Dr. Place to establish himself in Boulder. The Lord has not been honored or glorified in this move. I need not give the particulars, for the light has been given that it was a wrong thing to do. It is not a wise movement or a just movement. And what will be the outcome? You should reason from cause to effect. Time is short, and we have all a work to do in unifying. Elder Place, study diligently the third chapter of Ezekiel.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 222, 1908

23LtMs, Lt 222, 1908, par. 8

Read carefully the instruction given to the prophet Ezekiel in the second and third chapters of this book:

23LtMs, Lt 222, 1908, par. 15

“Then the Spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place. I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing. So the Spirit lifted me up, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.” [Ezekiel 2:1-10; 3:1-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 121, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 121, 1899, par. 28

“Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead; fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.” [Ezekiel 3:4-11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 15, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 15, 1906, par. 21

“And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die; because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:4-14, 16-21.]

Testimonies for the Church Containing Letters to Physicians and Ministers Instruction to Seventh-Day Adventists

Introduction

SpTB02 5.3

“Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 3:4-6, 17-21.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 102a, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 102a, 1896, par. 6

Edson has been charged with writing to me and complaining of Brother Henry. This is a mistake. Edson has not done this. The light which has been given me has been sent to Edson, only when I felt his danger, and presented to him that he was not to let his feelings control him. The thought that he was dealt with unkindly by any one in the office should not lead him to commit sin against his precious Saviour, or to let his mind be soured in any way. I assured him that the Lord was looking upon every unjust act; every hard-hearted and unjust decision is known to Him. I wrote this to him, not because Edson had written to me of these things, for he had not; but because matters had been presented before me, and I could not rest until I sent my warnings over the broad Pacific to save him from another utter discouragement. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have spoken to hard, unthankful, unsubdued hearts, because I was commissioned to set the warnings before them whether they would hear or whether they would forbear. See Ezekiel 3:4-7, 16-21; 9; 18.

The Great Controversy

Chapter 26—A Work of Reform

GC 459.2

Anciently the Lord declared to one who spoke in His name: “The house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto Me.” Nevertheless He said: “Thou shalt speak My words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.” Ezekiel 3:7; 2:7. To the servant of God at this time is the command addressed: “Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 26—A Work of Reform

GC88 459.2

Anciently the Lord declared to one who spoke in his name, “The house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me.” Nevertheless he said, “Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.” [Ezekiel 3:7; 2:7.] To the servant of God at this time is the command addressed, “Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”

The Upward Look

Stand Fast in God, September 22

UL 279.1

And go ... unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Ezekiel 3:11.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 65, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 65, 1896, par. 7

The Lord will speak just the same, whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. The Lord’s servants may be disapproved by the very ones whom He would help, whom, if they would let Him, He would instruct, strengthen, bless, refine, and ennoble, but God calls for faithful work to be done at all times, and in all places. Read Ezekiel 3:11, and chapter 18. There is a very great work to be done in our world. Every jot and tittle of capability and tact and ingenuity is needed. Messages of reproof and warnings will come to the people of God, to mothers, to fathers, to the children of Israel, that they may not move blindly. If those to whom these messages shall come will hear, if they will take heed with patience, with a generous, teachable spirit, then the blessing of the Lord will come to them.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 20 [Nos. 1420-1500]

MR No. 1445—The Work and Workers at Madison Commended; Soliciting Finances Not to Be Restricted

20MR 101.6

Again the prophet writes: [Ezekiel 3:16-21, quoted].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 32a, 1908

23LtMs, Lt 32a, 1908, par. 20

“Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:16-21.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 32, 1908

23LtMs, Lt 32, 1908, par. 28

Again the prophet writes: “The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:16-21.]

The Upward Look

More than a Prophet, May 26

UL 160.1

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Ezekiel 3:17.

This Day With God

No Sleeping on the Job, January 12

TDG 20.1

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Ezekiel 3:17.

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Great Head of the Church, February 17

JNN 56.1

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.”—Ezekiel 3:17

Gospel Workers (1892/1893 ed.)

Faithfulness in Reproving Sin

GW92 88.1

You profess to be a watchman on the walls of Zion, [From a Personal Testimony] a shepherd to the flock, yet you saw the poor sheep torn and scattered, and gave no warning. “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” “Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:17-19, 21.] .... What is a watchman for, unless it be to watch for evil and give the warning? What is a shepherd for, unless it be to watch for every danger lest the sheep be harmed and destroyed by wolves? What excuse could a shepherd plead for suffering the flock to stray from the true pasture, and be torn and scattered and devoured by wolves? How would an excuse stand made by the shepherd that the sheep led him astray? that they left the true pasture, and led him out of the way? Such a plea would tell with force against that shepherd’s ability to watch over the sheep. No more confidence could be placed in him as a faithful shepherd to care for the sheep, and bring them back as they might stray from the right path.—Testimonies for the Church 1:313.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1

Chapter 63—Jealousy and Faultfinding

1T 313.1

You chose to have your way. And now you have only yourself to blame. You profess to be a watchman on the walls of Zion, a shepherd to the flock, yet you saw the poor sheep torn and scattered and gave no warning. “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” “Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 3:17-19, 21.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Lt 18, 1862

1LtMs, Lt 18, 1862, par. 6

God gave you your choice: to be taught, to be instructed by His servants in His own way; or to go on, maintain your willful, unyielding disposition, and take a course to ruin your own influence. You chose to have your own way, and you should now blame yourself. You professed to be a watchman on the walls of Zion, a shepherd to the flock, yet witnessed them torn and scattered, confused and destroyed, and gave no warning. Read Ezekiel 3:17-19, 21:

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 12, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 12, 1893, par. 3

“Again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 3:17-21. See also Matthew 25:30. “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Ms 11, 1908

23LtMs, Ms 11, 1908, par. 6

“Son of man,” the prophet Ezekiel writes, “I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die; because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin; and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:17-21.] In these words there is no encouragement for the worker who is unfaithful in his labors.

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

Chapter 115—The Vision at Salamanca

1888 924.1

I raise the warning now that there is danger. The people are to know if there is danger. They are not to be kept in darkness. Ezekiel 3:17-21.

Spalding and Magan Collection

The Character of the Work

SpM 424.2

We need to read and understand the message of Ezekiel 2:—(Here is quoted Ezekiel 2:1-8; and Ezekiel 3:17-21.)

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 43, 1886

4LtMs, Lt 43, 1886, par. 5

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:17-21.] These solemn words speak to you and me. I have to bear the plain notes of warning from God. I must not suffer my brother to continue in sin; [I must warn him of] his danger; I must tell him “the wages of sin is death.” [Romans 6:23.] God has said it. “Cry aloud and spare not. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet and show My people their transgressions and the house of Israel their sins.” [Isaiah 58:1.] Here, my brother, is a work that you have not done as you should have done. And why? Because your own soul was not right before God. [Line illegible.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 61, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 61, 1890, par. 23

“Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man that the righteous man sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:17-21.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 40, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 40, 1890, par. 23

I raise the warning now that there is danger. The people are to know if there is danger. They are not to be kept in darkness. Ezekiel 3:17-21.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 1d, 1890

6LtMs, Lt 1d, 1890, par. 8

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his evil way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also, thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:17-21.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 40a, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 40a, 1890, par. 33

I now raise a warning voice, for you are in danger. The people are to know when peril is upon them; they are not to be left in darkness. “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sins, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand: nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man that the righteous man sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:17-21.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 5, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 5, 1892, par. 3

“Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” [Ezekiel 3:17-21.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 17 [Nos. 1236-1300]

MR No. 1255—Church Leaders to Set an Example of Christlikeness

17MR 99.2

[Ezekiel 3:17-22, quoted.] These solemn words speak to you and me. I have to bear the plain notes of warning from God. I must not suffer my brother to continue in sin. [I must warn him of] his danger. I must tell him “the wages of sin is death.” God has said it. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sin” [Isaiah 58:1]. Here, my brother, is a work that you have not done as you should have done. And why? Because your own soul was not right before God. [Following line illegible.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 62, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 62, 1894, par. 21

Orphans who are lent to Christians in trust for God are too often passed by and neglected, and yet they are bought with a price, and are just as valuable in the sight of God as we are. They may be ragged, uncouth, rough, destitute, cold, and hungry; yet as God’s property, Christians should have a lively interest in them. They are members of the household of God, for whom Christians are responsible. “Their souls,” saith God, “will I require at thine hands.” [Ezekiel 3:18.] They must be cared for, they must receive special attention. You cannot expend your means in a better way than by opening your doors to make homes for them. When the Lord sees that you are faithful in doing what you can to relieve human misery, He will move upon others to provide means to care for those who need help. Those who enlarge their hearts in this kind of work do no more than their duty.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 52, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 52, 1896, par. 49

Every poor, tried soul needs light, needs tender, sympathizing, hopeful words. Every widow needs the comfort of helpful, and encouraging words that others can bestow. Orphans who are lent to Christians in trust for God are too often passed by and neglected, and yet they are bought with a price, and are just as valuable in the sight of God as we are. They may be ragged, uncouth, rough, destitute, cold, and hungry, yet as God’s property, Christians should have a lively interest in them. They are members of the household of God for whom Christians are responsible. “Their souls,” saith God, “will I require at thine hands.” [Ezekiel 3:18.] They must be cared for, they must receive special attention. You cannot expend your means in a better way than by opening your doors to make homes for them. When the Lord sees that you are faithful in doing what you can to relieve human misery, He will move upon others to provide means to care for those who need help.