Ezekiel 15

1 The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

2 “Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest?

Son of man, What shall become of the wood of the vine more than of any other wood, of the branch which was standing among the trees of the forest?

3 Will wood be taken of it to make anything? Will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on it?

Can wood be taken therefrom to employ it for any work? or will men take from it a pin to hang thereon any vessel?

4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire has devoured both its ends, and the middle of it is burned. Is it profitable for any work?

Behold, if it be given up to the fire to be consumed, —[and] the fire have consumed both its ends, and the middle of it be scorched; will it be fit for any work?

5 Behold, when it was whole, it was suitable for no work. How much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it has been burned, will it yet be suitable for any work?”

Behold, when it was yet entire, it could not be employed for any work: how much more [must this be] when the fire hath consumed it, and it is scorched, —and shall it yet be employed for any work?

6 Therefore the Lord GOD says: “As the vine wood among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Therefore thus hath said the Lord Eternal, As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given up to the fire to be consumed: so do I give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

7 I will set my face against them. They will go out from the fire, but the fire will still devour them. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.

And I will set my face against them: from the fire have they gone forth, yet the fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I set my face against them.

8 I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,” says the Lord GOD.

And I will render the land a desert; because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord Eternal.