 1 The Word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 Son of man, how is the vine tree more than any other tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? 3 Shall wood be taken from it to do work? Or will men take from it for a peg to hang any vessel on it? 4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both its ends, and its middle is charred. Is it fit for any work? 5 Behold, when it was whole, it was not made for work. How much less when the fire has devoured it, and it is charred? Shall it yet be made to work? 6 Therefore thus says the Lord God, As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the people of Jerusalem. 7 I will turn+ against them. They will go out from the fire and the fire will devour them. Then you will know that I am the Lord when I turn+ against them. 8 I will make the land to be desolate, because they have committed a treacherous act, says the Lord God.
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