1 Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest? 3 Will wood be taken of it to make anything? Will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on it? 4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire has devoured both its ends, and the middle of it is burned. Is it profitable for any work? 5 Behold, when it was whole, it was suitable for no work. How much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned, will it yet be suitable for any work?”

6 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7 I will set my face against them. They will go out from the fire, but the fire will devour them; and you will know that I am Yahweh, when I set my face against them. 8 I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass,” says the Lord Yahweh.