1 The word of the LORD came to me:

2 O mortal, how does the wood of the vine surpass all other wood-- the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest?

3 Is wood taken from it to make anything? Does one take a peg from it on which to hang any object?

4 It is put in the fire for fuel; when the fire has consumed both ends of it and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything?

5 When it was whole it was used for nothing; how much less--when the fire has consumed it, and it is charred-- can it ever be used for anything!

6 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

7 I will set my face against them; although they escape from the fire, the fire shall still consume 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 acted faithlessly, says the Lord GOD.