And you marks a transition as Yahweh addresses Ezekiel directly. It will be retained in some way by most translators, possibly by saying “But you” (Good News Translation) or “As for you.”

Son of man: See the comments on Ezek 2.1.

Be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words … be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks: Four times in this verse God tells Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people. The fourth instance (nor be dismayed at their looks) is slightly stronger than the other three, but like Good News Translation, many versions do not make any distinction. The repetition is there for emphasis, but it is acceptable not to repeat the words four times, depending on how natural such repetition is in the receptor language.

Ezekiel is told not to be afraid of their words, that is, what the people might say to him. This refers to their taunts, sneers, and ridicule. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “their sneering talk.” Nor should he be afraid of their looks (literally “their faces”). This refers to the way they look at him and their attitude toward him, that is, they will be rebellious, disbelieving, and angry.

Though briers and thorns are with you and you sit upon scorpions: Briers and thorns are thorny plants, full of prickles. Briers and thorns may be rendered “thorn bushes” or “sharp pricking bushes.” A scorpion is a small animal, something like a large spider, with two large claws and a long curled tail. In the tail is a poisonous sting that is very painful and can even kill a person. If scorpions are unknown, translators may say “poisonous insects.” The reference to briers, thorns and scorpions is picture language. Therefore translations should not imply that Ezekiel will actually sit on them. The picture describes what it will feel like for Ezekiel: the people will say things that will sting and hurt him, just as if he were sitting on thorny plants and scorpions. Contemporary English Version says “You may think you’re in the middle of a thorn patch or a bunch of scorpions.” But some scholars think that the briers, thorns and scorpions will be like a fence around Ezekiel, and will be God’s way of protecting Ezekiel from the attacks of the people. Either interpretation is possible.

It is very difficult to be sure of the meaning of the Hebrew words rendered briers and thorns. The word for briers is used only here in the Old Testament, the word for thorns occurs only here and in 28.24. It is not even clear whether these words are nouns or verbs. This is the reason why Good News Translation renders them differently than Revised Standard Version, saying “They will defy and despise you.” Most English versions follow Revised Standard Version here, but New English Bible and Revised English Bible are similar to Good News Translation. Two factors favor Good News Translation‘s rendering: (1) the Septuagint and other very early translations take these words as verbs and translate “they provoke you and conspire against you,” and (2) there is an Aramaic word, similar to the Hebrew word for briers, that means “contradict” or “tell lies.” But two factors favor Revised Standard Version‘s rendering: (1) the Hebrew word for thorns clearly has this sense in 28.24, so the word for briers needs to mean something similar, and (2) the balance with scorpions in the next clause requires things that sting and prick. In addition, Revised Standard Version has followed the traditional Jewish interpretation. Since it is impossible to be sure of the meaning, translators may follow either Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation.

For they are a rebellious house: See the comments on Ezek 2.5.

Translators who follow the interpretation of Revised Standard Version may render the verse as follows:

• But you, mortal man, do not be afraid of them or what they say about you. You may feel like you’re sitting in the middle of thorn bushes and scorpions, but don’t let their taunts and angry stares frighten you, for they are constantly rebelling against me.

Those who follow Good News Translation may say:

• But you, mortal man, do not be afraid of them or what they say about you. They will oppose you and despise you, and you will think you are in the middle of scorpions. But their words and stares should not frighten you, for they are always rebelling against me.

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 .