Ezekiel 2

1 “Son of man [human, descendant of Adam], ” He said to me, “stand up [arise, get up on your feet] on your feet [as a sign of respect and attention] and I will speak [communicate, talk] to you [personally, directly].” word study 2 And as He spoke [with divine authority] to me, the Spirit [the breath of life] entered me and set me on my feet [to stand firmly], and I heard Him [with attention and obedience] speaking to me [with a clear voice]. word study 3 “Son of man [human, a mortal],” He said to me, “I am sending [appointing, commissioning] you to the Israelites [the children of Israel, God’s chosen people], to a rebellious [disobedient, uncontrolled] nation that has rebelled [resisted, defied] against Me. To this very day [even until now, continually] they and their fathers [ancestors, forefathers] have rebelled [transgressed, sinned] against Me. word study 4 They are [impudent, stiffhearted] obstinate and stubborn children [sons, descendants]. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the [Adonay] Lord GOD [Yehovah] says.’ word study 5 And whether they [if they will] listen or refuse to listen [forbear, stop listening]—for they are a rebellious [uncontrolled] house [family, community]—they will know [be aware, understand] that a prophet [one who speaks for God] has been among them [in their midst, as a spokesperson]. word study 6 But you, son of man [human, a mortal], do not be afraid [dismayed or terrified] of them or their words [spoken threats or prophetic messages]. Do not be afraid [intimidated or fearful], though briers [thorny plants] and thorns [prickly obstacles] surround you, and you dwell [reside or abide] among scorpions [dangerous or threatening creatures]. Do not be afraid [fearful or anxious] of their words [harsh criticisms or condemnations] or dismayed [broken or shattered] by their presence [face or appearance], though they are a rebellious [disobedient or uncooperative] house [family or community]. word study 7 But speak [declare, proclaim] My words [messages, divine utterances] to them, whether they listen [hear and obey, give ear] or refuse to listen [will not hear, forbear], for they are [by nature, characterized as] rebellious [most rebellious, uncontrolled, in a state of rebellion]. word study 8 And you [O son of man, human], son of man [descendant of Adam], listen [hear and obey] to what I tell you [speak to you, communicate with you]. Do not be rebellious [disobedient, uncontrolled] like that rebellious [stubborn, bitter] house. Open [set free, utter] your mouth and eat [devour, consume] what I give [provide, set before] you [to you, towards you].” word study 9 Then I looked [beheld] and saw a hand [stretched out, sent forth] reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll [a roll of a book, a written document], word study 10 which He unrolled [spread out, laid open] before me. And written [inscribed, recorded] on the front [face, surface] and back [rear side, reverse] of it were words [messages, writings] of lamentation [dirge, mourning song], mourning [moaning, sorrow], and woe [lament, calamity]. word study