"As for them, whetherthey listenornot-- for they are a rebellioushouse--they will knowthat a prophethas beenamongthem.
It happenedwhen Elishathe manof Godheardthat the kingof Israelhad tornhis clothes,that he sent[word] to the king,saying,"Whyhave you tornyour clothes?Nowlet him cometo me, and he shall knowthat thereis a prophetin Israel."
Then the kingsentJehudito getthe scroll,and he tookit out of the chamberof Elishamathe scribe.And Jehudireadit to the kingas well as to allthe officialswho stoodbesidethe king.
The LORDhas spokento you, O remnantof Judah,"Do not gointo Egypt!"You should clearlyunderstandthat todayI have testifiedagainst you.
"Sonof man,has not the houseof Israel,the rebellioushouse,saidto you, 'Whatare you doing?'
"Saynowto the rebellioushouse,Do you not knowwhatthesethings[mean]?' Say,'Behold,the kingof Babyloncameto Jerusalem,tookits kingand princesand broughtthem to him in Babylon.
"But you shall speakMy wordsto them whetherthey listenornot, for they are rebellious.
"Speaka parableto the rebellioushouseand sayto them, 'Thussaysthe LordGOD,"Puton the pot,put[it] on and alsopourwaterin it;
"Yet ifyou have warnedthe wickedand he does not turnfrom his wickednessor from his wickedway,he shall diein his iniquity;but you have deliveredyourself.
"Moreover, I will make your tonguestickto the roofof your mouthso that you will be muteand cannotbe a manwho rebukesthem, for they are a rebellioushouse.
"But when I speakto you, I will openyour mouthand you will sayto them, 'Thussaysthe LordGOD.'He who hears,let him hear;and he who refuses,let him refuse;for they are a rebellioushouse.
"So when it comesto pass--as surelyit will-- then they will knowthat a prophethas beenin their midst."
"But ifyou on your partwarna wickedmanto turnfrom his wayand he does not turnfrom his way,he will diein his iniquity,but you have deliveredyour life.
"You shall sayto the rebelliousones,to the houseof Israel,'Thussaysthe LordGOD,"Enoughof allyour abominations,O houseof Israel,
"IfI had not comeand spokento them, they would not havesin,but nowthey havenoexcusefor their sin.
Pauland Barnabasspoke out boldlyand said,"It was necessarythat the wordof Godbe spokento you first;sinceyou repudiateit and judgeyourselvesunworthyof eternallife,behold,we are turningto the Gentiles.
Whatthen?Ifsomedid not believe,their unbeliefwill not nullifythe faithfulnessof God,will it?
