Jerusalem the Useless Vine 1 WBS And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, BSB BSB: Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2 WBS Son of man, What is the vine-tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? BSB BSB: “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest?
3 WBS Shall wood be taken of it to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel upon it? BSB BSB: Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils?
4 WBS Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it suitable for any work? BSB BSB: No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything?
5 WBS Behold, when it was whole, it was fit for no work: how much less then shall it be fit for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned? BSB BSB: Even when it was whole, it could not be made useful. How much less can it ever be useful when the fire has consumed it and charred it!
6 WBS Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; 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. BSB BSB: Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the people of Jerusalem.
7 WBS And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them. BSB BSB: And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.
8 WBS And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord GOD. BSB BSB: Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’ declares the Lord GOD.”