Ezekiel 15

1. The word of Adonai came to me:

2. “Human being, why should wood from a grapevine be better 2 than some other kind of wood, 2 than some branch that one might find 2 among the trees of the forest?

3. Its wood can’t be used to make anything, 3 not even a pin on which to hang a pot.

4. So now it is thrown in the fire as fuel, 4 the fire consumes both ends of it, 4 and the middle of it is singed — 4 is it useful now for making something?

5. When it was whole, it was good for nothing; 5 so how much less, when the fire 5 has consumed it, and it is singed, 5 will it be useful for making something!

6. “So Adonai Elohim says this: 6 ‘Like wood from the vine among the trees of the forest, 6 which I consign to the fire as fuel, 6 so I give those living in Yerushalayim.

7. I will set my face against them — 7 they may have escaped one fire, 7 but the fire will consume them yet. 7 When I set my face against them, 7 you will know that I am Adonai.

8. I will make the land desolate 8 because they have dealt so treacherously,’ 8 says Adonai Elohim.”