1 And the Word of Jehovah came to me, saying, 2 Son of man, how is the vine tree more than any other tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? 3 Shall wood be taken from it to do work? Or will men take from it for a peg to hang any vessel on it? 4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both its ends, and its middle is charred. Is it fit for any work? 5 Behold, when it was whole, it was not made for work. How much less when the fire has devoured it, and it is charred? Shall it yet be made to work?
6 Therefore so says the Lord Jehovah, As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the people of Jerusalem. 7 And I will set My face against them; they shall go out from the fire, and the fire shall devour them. And you shall know that I am Jehovah when I set My face against them. 8 And I will make the land to be desolate, because they have committed a treacherous act, says the Lord Jehovah.