Jerusalem a Useless Vine

1 And the word of Yahweh cameto me, saying,

2 “Son of man, how will the wood of the vine be better thanany of the wood ofthe 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 lesswhen the fire has consumed itand it is charred; and then can it be used again for anything?

6 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Just likethe wood of the vine among the trees of the forestwhich 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 mayescape,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 a desolation because they acted very unfaithfully!”declaresthe Lord Yahweh.