1 And the word of Yahweh {came} to me, {saying},
2 "Son of man, how will the wood of the vine be {better than} {any of the wood of} the branch which is among the trees of the forest?
3 Can wood be taken from it to make anything, or can they take a tent peg from it to hang on it any object?
4 Look! It is given to the fire as fuel. The fire will consume two of its ends, and its middle will be charred. Is it useful for anything?
5 Look! {When it is in perfect condition}, it will not be used for anything, {how much less} {when the fire has consumed it} and it is charred; and [then] can it be used again for anything?
6 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: {Just like} the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest which I gave to the fire for fuel, so I have given the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
7 And I will set my face against them. From the fire they [may]{escape}, but the fire will [yet] consume them, and they will know that I [am] Yahweh {when I set my face against them}.
8 And I will make the land desolation because {they acted very unfaithfully}!" {declares} the Lord Yahweh.