1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any other wood—the vine branch among the trees of the forest? 3 Is wood taken from it to make anything? Is even a peg taken from it to hang any utensil on? 4 Look, it is given to the fire as fuel. The fire has consumed both its ends, and its middle is charred. Is it useful for any work? 5 When it was whole, nothing could be made from it. How much less can anything be made from it when the fire has consumed it and it is charred!

6 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 as fuel, so I have given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7 I will set my face against them. They have come out of the fire, but the fire will consume them. You will know that I am the LORD when I set my face against them. 8 I will make the land desolate because they have acted unfaithfully, declares the Lord GOD.”