Jerusalem Compared to a Useless Vine
1   And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2   Son of man, How is the wood of the vine tree better than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
3   Shall wood be taken of it to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on?
4   Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both the ends of it, and the middle of it is burned. Is it fit for any work?
5   Behold, when it was whole, it was fit for no work: how much less shall it be fit yet for any work, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?
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 will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
7   And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and you shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
8   And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, says the Lord GOD.