1 The word ofAdonaicame to me:
2 “Human being, why should wood from a grapevine be better
than some other kind of wood,
than some branch that one might find
among the trees of the forest?
3 Its wood can’t be used to make anything,
not even a pin on which to hang a pot.
4 So now it is thrown in the fire as fuel,
the fire consumes both ends of it,
and the middle of it is singed —
is it useful now for making something?
5 When it was whole, it was good for nothing;
so how much less, when the fire
has consumed it, and it is singed,
will it be useful for making something!
6 “SoAdonaiElohimsays this:
‘Like wood from the vine among the trees of the forest,
which I consign to the fire as fuel,
so I give those living in Yerushalayim.
7 I will set my face against them —
they may have escaped one fire,
but the fire will consume them yet.
When I set my face against them,
you will know that I amAdonai.
8 I will make the land desolate
because they have dealt so treacherously,’
saysAdonaiElohim.”