Jerusalem as a Useless Vine
15 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, how is the wood of a vine(A) different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest? 3 Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful?(B) Do they make pegs(C) from it to hang things on? 4 And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything?(D) 5 If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?
6 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem. 7 I will set my face against(E) them. Although they have come out of the fire(F), the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the Lord.(G) 8 I will make the land desolate(H) because they have been unfaithful,(I) declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Cross references
- Ezekiel 15:2 : Ps 80:8-16; Isa 5:1-7; 27:2-6; Jer 2:21; Hos 10:1; S Jn 15:2
- Ezekiel 15:3 : Jer 13:10
- Ezekiel 15:3 : S Isa 22:23
- Ezekiel 15:4 : Eze 17:3-10; 19:14; Jn 15:6
- Ezekiel 15:7 : S Lev 26:17; Ps 34:16; Eze 14:8
- Ezekiel 15:7 : S Eze 5:2; S Eze 5:4
- Ezekiel 15:7 : Isa 24:18; Am 9:1-4
- Ezekiel 15:8 : S Eze 14:13
- Ezekiel 15:8 : Eze 17:20; 18:24