2 He dug and cleared the field of stonesand planted the best grapevines there.He built a tower in the middle of itand cut out a winepress as well.He hoped good grapes would grow there,but only bad ones grew.
3 My friend says, “You people living in Jerusalem,and you people of Judah,judge between me and my vineyard.
4 What more could I have done for my vineyardthan I have already done?Although I expected good grapes to grow,why were there only bad ones?
5 Now I will tell youwhat I will do to my vineyard:I will remove the hedge,and it will be burned.I will break down the stone wall,and it will be walked on.
6 I will ruin my field.It will not be trimmed or hoed,and weeds and thorns will grow there.I will command the cloudsnot to rain on it.”
7 The vineyard belonging to the Lord All-Powerfulis the nation of Israel;the garden that he lovesis the people of Judah.He looked for justice, but there was only killing.He hoped for right living, but there were only cries of pain.
8 How terrible it will be for you who add more houses to your housesand more fields to your fieldsuntil there is no room left for other people.Then you are left alone in the land.