1. And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2. Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
3. Shall wood be taken from it to do any work? or will men take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it?
4. Behold, it is thrown into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it fit for any work?
5. Behold, when it was whole, it was fit for no work: how much less shall it still be fit for any work when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?
6. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Like the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
7. And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and you shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
8. And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, says the Lord GOD.