⁶ “But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them and do not be afraid of their words,^(A) even though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions.^(B) Don’t be afraid of their words or discouraged by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house. ⁷ Speak my words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen,^(C) for they are rebellious.

² On the contrary, after we had previously suffered^(A) and were treated outrageously in Philippi,^(B) as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.