1The word of the LORD came to me. He said,
2"Son of man, what is the vine tree better than any other tree? What is its branch better than the branches among the trees of the forest?"
3Is its wood taken to make anything? Will anyone make a peg from it to hang a pot on?
4Look, it is thrown into the fire for fuel. The fire burns up both its ends, and the middle of it is charred. Is it good for any work?
5Look, when it was whole, it was good for no work. How much less can it be of any use now, when the fire has burned it up and it is charred?
6So this is what the Lord GOD says: Like the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the people who live in Jerusalem.
7I will set my face against them. They will come out of one fire, and another fire will burn them up. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
8"I will make the land a waste, because they have been unfaithful, says the Lord GOD."