Ezekiel 2

The LORD chooses Ezekiel

₁The LORD said, “Ezekiel, son of man, I want you to stand up and listen.” ₂After he said this, his Spirit took control of me and lifted me to my feet. Then the LORD said:

₃Ezekiel, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They are just like their ancestors who rebelled against me and refused to stop. ₄They are stubborn and hard-headed. But I, the LORD God, have chosen you to tell them what I say. ₅Those rebels may not even listen, but at least they will know that a prophet has come to them.

₆Don't be afraid of them or of anything they say. You may think you're in the middle of thorn bushes or scorpions. But be brave ₇and preach my message to them, whether they choose to listen or not. ₈Ezekiel, don't rebel against me, as they have done. Instead, listen to everything I tell you.

And now, Ezekiel, open your mouth and eat what I am going to give you.

₉Just then, I saw a hand stretched out towards me. And in it was a scroll. ₁₀The hand opened the scroll, and both sides of it were filled with words of sadness, mourning, and grief.