1 He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet, and I will speak to you." 2 When he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet and I heard him talking to me. 3 He told me, "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a nation that is rebellious, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have revolted against me to this very day. 4 The descendants are also obstinate and hard-hearted. I am sending you to them and you will tell them, ‘This is what the sovereign LORD says.’ 5 Whether they listen or not – for they are a rebellious house – they will realize that there has been a prophet among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them. Do not be afraid of their words, though you are surrounded by thorns and thistles, and you have to live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or be terrified by their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they will listen or not, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” 9 Then I looked and saw a hand was stretched out toward me and in it was a written scroll. 10 He unrolled it in front of me and it was written on the front and back; and there were written on it laments, mourning and woe.