[1] A 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? [3] Can its wood ever be made into anything useful? Can pegs be made from it to hang things on? [4] Suppose 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? [5] It 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.” [6] Here 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. [7] I 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. [8] I will make the land a dry and empty desert. My people have not been faithful to me,” announces the LORD and King.
