Jerusalem Is a Useless Vine
1 Some time later, the Lord said:
2 Ezekiel, son of man, what happens to the wood of a grapevine after the grapes have been picked? It isn't like other trees in the forest, 3 because the wood of a grapevine can't be used to make anything, not even a small peg to hang things on. 4 It can only be used as firewood. But after its ends are burnt and its middle is charred, it can't be used for anything. 5 The wood is useless before it is burned, and afterwards, it is completely worthless.
6 I, the Lord God, promise that just as the wood of a grapevine is burned as firewood, 7 I will punish the people of Jerusalem with fire. Some of them have escaped one destruction, but soon they will be completely burned. And when that happens, you, Ezekiel, will know that I am the Lord. 8 I will make their country an empty wasteland, because they have not been loyal to me. I, the Lord God, have spoken.
A Parable about a Vine
1 The Lord spoke to me. 2 “Mortal man,” he said, “how does a vine compare with a tree? What good is a branch of a grapevine compared with the trees of the forest? 3 Can you use it to make anything? Can you even make a peg out of it to hang things on? 4 It is only good for building a fire. And when the ends are burned up and the middle is charred, can you make anything out of it? 5 It was useless even before it was burned. Now that the fire has burned it and charred it, it is even more useless.”
6 Now this is what the Sovereign Lord is saying: “Just as a vine is taken from the forest and burned, so I will take the people who live in Jerusalem 7 and will punish them. They have escaped one fire, but now fire will burn them up. When I punish them, you will know that I am the Lord. 8 They have been unfaithful to me, and so I will make the country a wilderness.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken.