1 E disse-me: Levanta-te, homem mortal, e falarei contigo.2 O Espírito entrou em mim enquanto me dirigia a palavra, e pôs-me de pé:3 Homem mortal, vou enviar-te à nação de Israel, nação rebelde contra mim. Tanto eles como seus pais têm continuado a pecar contra mim até ao momento presente. Têm um coração duro; são de carácter obstinado. Mas eu envio-te junto deles para que lhes transmitas as minhas mensagens - as mensagens do Senhor Deus. Que eles as ouçam ou não - não te esqueças que são gente rebelde - pelo menos hão-de ficar a saber que tiveram um profeta no meio deles.6 E tu, homem mortal, não tenhas medo deles; não receies as suas ameaças ainda que façam doer e magoem como espinhos, como escorpiões. Não te assustes com as suas carrancas sombrias. Lembra-te de que são pessoas insubmissas! Deverás comunicar-lhes as minhas mensagens, quer as ouçam quer não; mas não quererão ouvi-las, porque são extremamente obstinados. Ouve pois, homem mortal, aquilo que te digo. Não sejas tu também contencioso! Abre a tua boca e come o que te dou.9 Então vi uma mão segurando um rolo de livro, escrito de ambos os lados, na frente e de trás. O livro foi desenrolado e reparei que estava cheio de avisos, de lamentações e de condenações.

1 And he said to me, Son of Man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.2 And the Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me.3 And he said to me, Son of Man, I send you to the sons of Israel, to nations that are rebellious, which have rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me even to this very day.4 And the sons are impudent and stiffhearted: I am sending you to them; and you will say to them, Thus says the Sovereign Yahweh.5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet will know that there has been a prophet among them.6 And you, Son of Man, don't be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions: don't be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.7 And you will speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are in rebellion.8 But you, Son of Man, hear what I say to you; don't be rebellious like that rebellious house: open your mouth, and eat that which I give you.9 And I looked and saw that a hand was put forth to me; and saw that a roll of a book was in it;10 And he spread it before me: and it was written inside and outside; and there were written in it lamentations, and mourning, and woe.