Yahweh continues to address Ezekiel with But you, thereby contrasting the rebellious people with Ezekiel. New American Bible begins this verse with “As for you,” which is also a good model.

Son of man: See the comments on Ezek 2.1. Here Contemporary English Version again uses “Ezekiel.”

Hear what I say to you: God commands Ezekiel to listen carefully to what he is about to tell him. The word hear has a strong connotation of “listen and obey.” What I say to you refers especially to God’s words in the rest of this verse.

Be not rebellious like that rebellious house: God tells Ezekiel not to be stubborn and disobedient like the Israelites have been. Again (for the third time in four verses), the Israelites are described as a rebellious house (see the comments on Ezek 2.5). Possible models for the first half of this verse are “But for your part, mortal, don’t disobey me like those rebellious people” and “But you, O man, don’t be like that group of rebels and disobey me.”

Open your mouth, and eat what I give you: God commands Ezekiel to eat whatever God gives him. Even though the action is symbolic, the words should be translated literally. Contemporary English Version says “And now, Ezekiel, open your mouth and eat what I am going to give you.”

The words of God finish here. Some languages will have to include a closing statement such as “That was God talking” or “This is where God stopped talking.” However, for most languages the context will not make that necessary.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .