Ezekiel 15

1The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

2"Son of man, what is the vine tree compared to any other tree, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? 3Is wood taken from it to make any useful item? Or do they take a peg from it to hang any vessel on? 4Behold, it is thrown into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both its ends and its middle is charred. Is it useful for any work? 5Behold, when it was whole, it could not be made into anything useful. How much less, when the fire has devoured and charred it, can it ever be made into anything useful?

6Therefore, 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 I have given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7And I will set my face against them. They have come out of the fire, but the fire will consume them. And you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them. 8I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the LORD GOD."