^1. THEN the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

^2. «Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any wood of a branch which is among the trees of the forest?

^3. «Can wood be taken from it to make [1] anything, or can men take a peg from it on which to hang any vessel?

^4. « [3] If it has been put into the fire for fuel, and the fire has consumed both of its ends and its middle part has been charred, is it then useful for [2] anything?

^5. «Behold, while it is intact, it is not made into [5] anything. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into [4] anything!

^6. «Therefore, thus says the Lord [6] GOD, "As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

^7. and I set My face against them. Though they have come out of the fire, yet the fire will consume them. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I set My face against them.

^8. "Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,'» declares the Lord GOD.