The Prophet’s Commission

2 Then Jehovah said to me, Son of man stand up on thy feet that I may speak with thee. 2 And the spirit entered into me, as he spoke to me, and made me stand upon my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me.

3 And he said to me, Son of man, I am about to send thee to the rebellious house of Israel; who have rebelled against me, both they and their fathers, even to this day. 4 It is I who send thee to them that thou shouldst say to them: ’Thus saith Jehovah.’ 5 Whether they will hear or refuse to hear - for they are a rebellious house - they shall learn that a prophet is among them. 6 And thou son of man, fear them not nor be dismayed at their words, though briars and thorns are about thee and thou dwellest among scorpions. Be not afraid of their words nor be dismayed at their looks; for they are a rebellious house. 7 But do thou speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house.

8 But thou son of man, hear what I say to thee. Be not rebellious like this rebellious house. Open thy mouth and eat what I give thee. 9 Then I looked and there was stretched out to me a hand in which there was a roll of a book. 10 And he unrolled it before me and it was written within and without; and in it were written lamentations and mourning and woe. 3 And he said to me, Son of man, eat this roll and go speak to the house of Israel, 2 2o I opened my mouth and he made me eat the roll. 3 And he said to me, Son of man, eat and be filled withm this roll which I give thee. Then I ate it and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

4 And he said to me, Son of man, up, go to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. 5 For thou art not sent to a people of strange speech, nor to many peoples whose words thou couldst not understand. Verily, if I sent thee to them, they would hear thee! 6 But the house of Israel will not be willing to hear thee, for they are not willing to hear me; for all the house of larael are bold and unyielding. 8 Behold I make thee as bold and unyielding as they. 9 As adamant, harder than flint, have I made thy face. Be not afraid of them neither be dismayed at them. For they are a rebellious house. 10 He also said to me, Son of man, all of my words that I shall speak to thee receive in thy mind and hear with thine ears, 11 and go to the captives, the people of thy race, and speak to them and say to them: ’Thus saith Jehovah’ whether they hear or refuse to heed.