New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
1
The word of the LORD came to me:
2 "Human, is the wood of the vine better than the wood of any tree in the forest?
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“Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest?
3 Can wood be taken from the vine to make anything? Can you use it to make a peg on which to hang something?
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Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on?
4 If 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?
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And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything?
5 When 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."
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If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?
6 So 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
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“Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem.
7 and 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.
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I will set my face against them. Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.
8 So I will make the land empty, because the people have not been loyal, says the Lord God."
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I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.