Parable Of Two Eagles And A Vine

1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

1 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,

1 The word of the Lord came to me:

1 This message came to me from the LORD:

1 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

2 Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

2 “Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a (A)parable to the house of Israel,

2 “Son of man, pose a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel.(A)

2 "Son of Man, compose a riddle and relate a parable to Israel's house.

2 “Son of man, ask a riddle and tell a (a)parable to the house of Israel,

3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

3 (a)saying, ‘Thus says the Lord (b)God, “A great (B)eagle with (C)great wings, long pinions and a full plumage of many colors came to (D)Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

3 You are to say: This is what the Lord God says:A great eagle with great wings,(B) long pinions,and full plumage of many colorscame to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.(C)

3 Tell them, "This is what the Lord GOD says, "A massive eagle with gigantic wings, long pinions, and full, multi-colored plumage came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

3 saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “A great eagle (Nebuchadnezzar) with great wings, long pinions and a rich plumage of many colors came to Lebanon (Jerusalem) and took away the top of the cedar (Judah).

4 He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.

4 He plucked off the topmost of its young twigs and brought it to a land of merchants; he set it in a city of traders.

4 He plucked off its topmost shoot,brought it to the land of merchants,and set it in a city of traders.

4 He plucked off the top of its shoot, brought it to a land of merchants, and set it down in a city full of traders.

4 He broke off the topmost of its young twigs (young King Jehoiachin) and carried it to a land of traders (Babylonia); he set it in a city of merchants (Babylon).

5 He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.

5 He also took some of the seed of the land and planted it in (c)(E)fertile soil. He (d)placed it beside abundant waters; he set it like a (F)willow.

5 Then he took some of the land’s seedand put it in a fertile field;(D)he set it like a willow,(E)a plant(a) by abundant waters.

5 Then the eagle took a seed from the land and planted it in fertile ground. He planted it like a willow tree next to abundant waters.

5 He also took some of the seed of the land ((b)Zedekiah, of the royal family) and planted it in fertile soil and a fruitful field; he placed it beside abundant waters and set it like a willow tree.

6 And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

6 Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and yielded shoots and sent out branches.

6 It sprouted and became a spreading vine,low in height with its branches turned toward him,(F)yet its roots stayed under it.So it became a vine,produced branches, and sent out shoots.

6 It flourished and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, and its roots spread under him to become a vine that put out shoots and spread out its branches.

6 Then it sprouted and grew and became a low, spreading vine whose branches turned [in submission] toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and yielded shoots and sent out branches.

7 There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

7 “But there was (e)another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him from the beds where it was (G)planted, that he might water it.

7 But there was another great eaglewith great wings and thick plumage.And this vine bent its roots toward him!It stretched out its branches to himfrom its planting bed,(G)so that he might water it.

7 """All of a sudden, there was another eagle with gigantic wings and thick plumage. The vine stretched its roots hungrily toward him and spread its branches out to him in order to be watered on the terraces where it was planted.

7 “There was [also] another great (c)eagle with great wings and many feathers; and behold, this vine (Zedekiah) bent its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him, away from the beds where it was planted, for him to water.

8 It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

8 It was planted in good (f)soil beside abundant waters, that it might yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine.”’

8 It had been plantedin a good field by abundant watersin order to produce branches,bear fruit, and become a splendid vine.

8 It was transplanted into good soil near abundant water, and it produced branches and bore fruit, becoming a magnificent vine."'

8 It was planted in good soil where water was plentiful for it to produce leaves and branches and to bear fruit, so that it might become a splendid vine.”’

9 Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.

9 Say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers—so that all its sprouting leaves wither? And neither by great (g)strength nor by many people can it be raised from its roots again.

9 You are to say: This is what the Lord God says:Will it flourish?Will he not tear out its roots(H)and strip off its fruitso that it shrivels?All its fresh leaves will wither!Great strength and many peoplewill not be needed to pull it from its roots.

9 "Tell them, "This is what the Lord GOD says, "Will it prosper? Won't he pull up its roots, and strip it bare so all its fresh foliage dries up? It won't be by great strength or by a great army that it will be uprooted.

9 Thus says the Lord God, ‘Ask, “Will it thrive? Will he (Nebuchadnezzar) not uproot it and strip off its fruit so that all its sprouting leaves will wither? It will not take a strong arm or many people to uproot it [ending Israel’s national existence].(A)

10 Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

10 Behold, though it is planted, will it thrive? Will it not (H)completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it—wither on the beds where it grew?”’”

10 Even though it is planted, will it flourish?Won’t it completely witherwhen the east wind strikes it?(I)It will wither on the bed where it sprouted.”

10 Look! Because it's a transplanted vine, won't it wither when the east wind hits it? It will surely wither in the terraces where it had started to sprout."'"

10 Though it is planted, will it thrive and grow? Will it not completely wither when the east wind touches it? It will wither in the beds where it grew.”’”(B)

The Parable Is Explained

11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

11 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

11 The word of the Lord came to me:

11 This message came to me from the LORD:

11 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

12 Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;

12 “Say now to the (I)rebellious house, ‘Do you not (J)know what these things mean?’ Say, ‘Behold, the (K)king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king and princes and brought them to him in Babylon.

12 “Now say to that rebellious house:(J) Don’t you know what these things mean? Tell them: The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king and officials,(K) and brought them back with him to Babylon.

12 "Tell my rebellious house, "Don't you know what these things mean? Look! The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, captured her king and princes, and took them with him to Babylon.

12 “Say now to the rebellious house, ‘Do you not know (realize) what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Hear this, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and took its king [Jehoiachin] and its princes and brought them with him to Babylon.(C)

13 And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land:

13 He took one of the royal (h)(L)family and made a covenant with him, (i)putting him under (M)oath. He also took away the (N)mighty of the land,

13 He took one of the royal family(L) and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath.(M) Then he took away the leading men of the land,

13 Then he took one of the royal descendants, made a covenant with him, and put him under an oath of loyalty, taking the leaders of the land captive

13 And he took a member of the royal family [the king’s uncle, Zedekiah] and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. He also took the important leaders of the land,(D)

14 That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

14 that the kingdom might (O)be (j)in subjection, not exalting itself, but keeping his covenant that it might continue.

14 so the kingdom might be humble and not exalt itself(N) but might keep his covenant in order to endure.

14 in order to humiliate the kingdom so it wouldn't be able to return to power, but would still be able to continue as long as he keeps his covenant.

14 so that the kingdom would be in subjection, unable to restore itself and rise again, but that by keeping his covenant it might continue.

15 But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

15 But he (P)rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt that they might give him horses and many (k)troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things (Q)escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape?

15 However, this king revolted against him(O) by sending his ambassadors to Egypt so they might give him horses and a large army.(P) Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still escape?

15 But he rebelled against the king of Babylon by sending his messengers to Egypt to obtain horses and a large army. Will he succeed? Or will the one who did this escape? Will he break the covenant, but still be delivered?'"

15 But Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar by sending his ambassadors to Egypt so that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant [with Babylon] and [still] escape?

16 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

16 As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘Surely in the (l)country of the king who (m)put him on the throne, whose oath he (R)despised and whose covenant he broke, (n)(S)in Babylon he shall die.

16 “As I live”—this is the declaration of the Lord God—“he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne,(Q) whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke.

16 "As long as I live," declares the Lord GOD, "in Babylon, that place where the king has enthroned him, whose oath he despised so as to break his covenant, he'll die with him.

16 As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely in the country of the king (Nebuchadnezzar) who made Zedekiah [the vassal] king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke, in Babylon Zedekiah shall die.

17 Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:

17 (T)Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not (o)help him in the war, when they cast up ramps and build siege walls to cut off many lives.

17 Pharaoh will not help him with his great army and vast horde in battle,(R) when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives.

17 Pharaoh, with his massive army and large battalions won't protect him when mounds and siege walls are built to destroy many people.

17 Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him in the war, when they (the Babylonians) put up ramps and build siege walls to destroy many lives.

18 Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.

18 Now he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and behold, he (p)(U)pledged his allegiance, yet did all these things; he shall not escape.’”

18 He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. He did all these things even though he gave his hand in pledge.(S) He will not escape!”

18 He despised the oath he had made and broke the covenant. Look! Because he willingly submitted, yet he has done all these things, he won't escape.

18 Now Zedekiah dishonored the oath by breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and pledged his allegiance, yet did all these things; he shall not escape.’”

19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.

19 Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “As I live, surely My oath which he despised and My covenant which he broke, I will (q)inflict on his head.

19 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: “As I live, I will bring down on his head My oath that he despised and My covenant that he broke.

19 Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says, "As long as I live, because he despised my oath and broke my covenant, he's going to suffer the consequences.

19 Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “As I live, I will bring down on his own head My oath [made on My behalf by Nebuchadnezzar] which Zedekiah dishonored and My covenant which he broke.

20 And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

20 I will spread My (V)net over him, and he will be (W)caught in My snare. Then I will bring him to Babylon and (X)enter into judgment with him there regarding the unfaithful act which he has committed against Me.

20 I will spread My net over him,(T) and he will be caught in My snare.(U) I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there for the treachery he committed against Me.(V)

20 I'll spread my net over him so that he'll be caught in my snare. I'll bring him to Babylon and carry out my sentence there because of his treachery toward me.

20 I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare; and I will bring him to Babylon and will enter into judgment with him there for his treason which he has committed against Me.

21 And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken it.

21 All the (r)(Y)choice men in all his troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to every wind; and you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken.”

21 All the fugitives(b) among his troops will fall by the sword, and those who survive will be scattered to every direction of the wind.(W) Then you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken.”

21 The fugitives of his troops will die by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to the four winds. Then you'll know that I, the LORD, have spoken."

21 All the choice men [from Judah] in all his troops will fall by the sword, and those that survive will be scattered to every wind; and you will know [without any doubt] that I the Lord have spoken.”

God's Promise Of Hope

22 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:

22 Thus says the Lord God, “I will also take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and set it out; I will pluck from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one and I will plant it on a (Z)high and lofty mountain.

22 This is what the Lord God says:I will take a sprigfrom the lofty top of the cedar and plant it.(X)I will pluck a tender sprigfrom its topmost shoots,and I will plant iton a high towering mountain.

22 This is what the Lord GOD says, "I'm also going to take a shoot from the top of a cedar and plant it. I'll pluck off its delicate twigs and transplant it on a high and lofty mountain.

22 (d)Thus says the Lord God, “I Myself will take a twig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.(E)

23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

23 On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a stately (AA)cedar. And birds of every (s)kind will (t)nest under it; they will (u)nest in the shade of its branches.

23 I will plant it on Israel’s high mountain(Y)so that it may bear branches, produce fruit,and become a majestic cedar.Birds of every kind will nest under it,(Z)taking shelter in the shade of its branches.

23 I'll transplant it on Israel's land, and it will grow branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. All sorts of birds will rest under it, and they'll settle down in the shade of its branches.

23 I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel, that it may grow boughs and bear fruit and be a noble and stately cedar. And birds of every kind will live under it; they will nest [securely] in the shade of its branches.

24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.

24 All the (AB)trees of the field will know that I am the Lord; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree (AC)flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will perform it.”

24 Then all the trees of the field will knowthat I am Yahweh.I bring down the tall tree,and make the low tree tall.(AA)I cause the green tree to witherand make the withered tree thrive.(AB)I, Yahweh, have spokenand I will do it.(AC)

24 Then all the trees of the fields will know that I, the LORD, bring down the lofty tree and exalt the lowly tree. I dry up the green tree and cause the dry tree to bud. I the LORD have spoken this, and I will fulfill it."

24 All the trees of the field will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will fulfill it.”

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