1 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

2 "Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest?

3 Shall wood be taken of it to make any work? Or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?

4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire has devoured both its ends, and its midst is burned: is it profitable for any work?

5 Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned, shall it yet be meet for any work!

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 I will set my face against them; they shall go forth from the fire, but the fire shall devour them; and you shall know that I am the Lord, when I set my face against them.

8 I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass,' says the Lord God."