1 The Lord spoke his word to me. He said:
2 “Human being, what good is the wood of the vine? Is it better than the wood of a tree in the forest?
3 Can wood be taken from the vine to make anything? Can you use it to make a peg on which to hang something?
4 The vine is thrown into the fire for fuel. The fire burns up both ends and starts to burn the middle. Then is it useful for anything?
5 When the vine was whole, it couldn’t be made into anything. When the fire has burned it completely, it certainly cannot be made into anything.”
6 So this is what the Lord God says: “Out of all the trees in the forest, I gave the wood of the vine as fuel for fire. In the same way I have given up the people who live in Jerusalem.
7 I will turn against them. They came through one fire. But fire will still destroy them. When I turn against them, you will know that I am the Lord.
8 So I will make the land empty. This is because the people have not been loyal, says the Lord God.”