The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand.
“Mortal man,” he said, “you are living among rebellious people. They have eyes, but they see nothing; they have ears, but they hear nothing, because they are rebellious.
Pay attention, you foolish and stupid people, who have eyes, but cannot see, and have ears, but cannot hear.
“As for you, how fortunate you are! Your eyes see and your ears hear.
Such people are too stupid to know what they are doing. They close their eyes and their minds to the truth.
But I protested, “Sovereign Lord, don't make me do it! Everyone is already complaining that I always speak in riddles.”
As the scripture says, “God made their minds and hearts dull; to this very day they cannot see or hear.”