1 The Lord’s word came to me:
2 Human one, compose a riddle and a parable about the house of Israel.
3 Say, The Lord God proclaims: The great eagle with great wings, long feathers, and full, colorful plumage came to Lebanon and took the top branch of the cedar.
4 He plucked a twig from the cedar’s crown, brought it to the land of traders, and set it down in a city of merchants.
5 He took a native seed and planted it in a prepared field, placing it like a willow beside plentiful water.