Mission to Rebellious Israel

2 He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet^(A) and I will speak with you.” ² As he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet,^(B) and I listened to the one who was speaking to me. ³ He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to^[a] the rebellious pagans who have rebelled against me. The Israelites and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this day.^{(C) 4} The descendants are obstinate^[b] and hardhearted.^(D) I am sending you to them, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ ⁵ Whether they listen or refuse to listen^(E)—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.^(F)

⁶ “But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them and do not be afraid of their words,^(G) even though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions.^(H) Don’t be afraid of their words or discouraged by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house. ⁷ Speak my words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen,^(I) for they are rebellious.

⁵² Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute?^(A) They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers^(B) you have now become.