Paul compares a person who refuses to listen and obey God to something hard, like a stone. The heart represents the whole person. AT: "It is because you refuse to listen and repent" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
## hardness and unrepentant heart ##
The phrase "unrepentant heart" explains the word "hardness" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
The phrase "storing up" usually refers to a person gathering his treasures and putting it in a safe place. Paul says instead of treasures the person is gathering God's punishment. The longer they go without repenting, the more severe the punishment. AT: "you are making your punishment worse" (See:[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])