1A message from the LORD came to me. Here is what the LORD said.2‘Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from the wood of any tree in the forest?3Can its wood ever be made into anything useful? Can pegs be made from it to hang things on?4Suppose it is thrown in the fire to be burned. And the fire burns both ends and blackens the middle. Then is the wood useful for anything?5It was not useful when it was whole. So how can it be made into something useful now? The fire has burned it and blackened it.’6Here is what the LORD and King says. ‘Instead of the wood of any tree in the forest, I have given the vine to burn in the fire. I will treat the people who live in Jerusalem the same way.7I will turn against them. They might have come out of the fire. But the fire will destroy them anyway. I will turn against them. Then you will know that I am the LORD.8I will make the land a dry and empty desert. My people have not been faithful to me,’ announces the LORD and King.
Ezekiel 15
English Standard Version
Jerusalem, a Useless Vine
1And the word of the Lord came to me:2“Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? (Eze 2:1; Eze 15:6)3Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? (Isa 22:23)4Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything? (Joh 15:6)5Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything! (Eze 15:3)6Therefore thus says the Lord God: Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Ps 80:8; Isa 5:1; Eze 15:4; Eze 17:6; Eze 19:10)7And I will set my face against them. Though they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, and you will know that I am the Lord, when I set my face against them. (2Ki 25:9; Eze 6:7; Eze 14:8)8And I will make the land desolate, because they have acted faithlessly, declares the Lord God.” (Eze 6:14; Eze 14:13)