1He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you." 2The Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me. 3He said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the house of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me even to this very day. 4The children are obstinate and hardhearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' 5They, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall know that there has been a prophet among them. 6You, son of man, do not be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you do dwell among scorpions: do not be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house. 7You shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious.

8But you, son of man, hear what I tell you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house: open your mouth, and eat that which I give you." 9And I looked and saw a hand was extended to me; and, look, a written scroll was in it. 10And he spread it before me, and it was written on the front and on the back. And written on it were lamentations, and mourning, and woe.