Ezekiel 15

New International Version

Jerusalem as a Useless Vine

15 The word of theLordcame to me:² “Son of man, how is the wood of a vine^(A)different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest?³ Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful?^(B)Do they make pegs^(C)from it to hang things on?⁴ And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything?^(D)5 If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?

⁶ “Therefore this is what the SovereignLordsays: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem.⁷ I will set my face against^(E)them. Although they have come out of the fire^(F), the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am theLord.^(G)8 I will make the land desolate^(H)because they have been unfaithful,^(I)declares the SovereignLord.”