[1] The LORD’s word came to me: [2] Human one, how is the vine’s wood better than the wood of all the trees in the forest? [3] Can you make anything useful from its wood? Can you make a peg from it and hang objects on it? [4] If not, can it be used as firewood? Fire would consume its two ends, but its middle part would only get charred. So is it useful for anything? [5] Look, even when it was whole, it was worthless. Now that the fire has consumed it, and it is charred, it’s even more useless. [6] Therefore, the LORD God proclaims: Of all the trees in the forest, I have decreed that the vine’s wood is destined to be consumed by fire. So also have I decreed for those who live in Jerusalem, [7] and I have confronted them. They may try to go out from the fire, but the fire will consume them. You will know that I am the LORD, because I confronted them. [8] I will turn the land into a ruin because they acted faithlessly, proclaims the LORD God.
