3 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.”

³ Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate^(A) it, and it tasted as sweet as honey^(B) in my mouth.

⁴ He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them.^(C)

¹⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman^(A) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.^(B)

²⁵ And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people.^(A)

Siege of Jerusalem Symbolized

4 “Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it.

¹⁶ He then said to me: “Son of man, I am about to cut off^(A) the food supply in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair,^(B)

God’s Razor of Judgment

5 “Now, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor^(A) to shave^(B) your head and your beard.^(C) Then take a set of scales and divide up the hair.