1The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
2"Human, is the wood of the vine better than the wood of any tree in the forest?
3Can wood be taken from the vine to make anything? Can you use it to make a peg on which to hang something?
4If the vine is thrown into the fire for fuel, and the fire burns up both ends and starts to burn the middle, is it useful for anything?
5When 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."
6So this is what the Lord God says: "Out of all the trees in the forest, I have given the wood of the vine as fuel for fire. In the same way I have given up the people who live in Jerusalem
7and will turn against them. Although they came through one fire, fire will still destroy them. When I turn against them, you will know that I am the Lord.
8So I will make the land empty, because the people have not been loyal, says the Lord God."