1. Then the Lord said to me, “Human being, eat what you find. Eat this scroll. Then go and speak to the people of Israel.”
2. So I opened my mouth, and the Lord gave me the scroll.
3. The Lord said to me, “Human being, eat this scroll which I am giving you. Fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it. And it was sweet like honey in my mouth.
4. Then the Lord said to me, “Human being, go to the people of Israel. Speak my words to them.
5. You are not being sent to people whose speech you can’t understand. Their language is not difficult. You are being sent to Israel.
6. You are not being sent to many nations whose speech you can’t understand. The language of Israel is not difficult. You are not being sent to people whose words you cannot understand. If I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.
7. But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you. This is because they are not willing to listen to me. Yes, all the people of Israel are stubborn and will not obey.
8. See, I have made you as stubborn as they are. You will be as hard as they are.
9. I have made you as hard as a diamond, harder than stone. Don’t be afraid of them. Don’t be frightened by them. They are a people who turn against me.”
10. Also, the Lord said to me, “Human being, believe all the words that I will speak to you. And listen carefully.
11. Go to the captives, your people. And speak to them, whether they listen or not. Tell them, ‘The Lord God says this.’”
12. Then the Spirit lifted me up. And I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me. A voice said, “Praise God in heaven.”
13. I heard the wings of the living creatures touching each other. And I heard the sound of the wheels by them. It was a loud rumbling sound.
14. So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I was unhappy and angry. I felt the great power of the Lord.