Ezekiel 15

1 The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

And there is a word of YHWH to 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 is the vine-tree more than any tree? The vine-branch that has been, Among 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?

Is wood taken from it to use for work? Do they take a pin of it to hang any vessel on it?

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, it has been given to the fire for fuel, The fire has eaten its two ends, And its midst has been scorched! Is it profitable for 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, in its being perfect it is not used for work, How much less when fire has eaten of it, And it is scorched, Has it been used yet for 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 said Lord YHWH: “As the vine-tree among trees of the forest, That I have given to the fire for fuel, So I have given 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 have set My face against them, They have gone forth from the fire, And the fire consumes them, And you have known that I [am] YHWH, In My setting My face against them.

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

And I have made the land a desolation, Because they have committed a trespass,” A declaration of Lord YHWH!