The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 God's Message came to me:
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And the word of the LORD came to me:
2 "Son of man, how would you compare the wood of a vine with the branches of any tree you'd find in the forest?
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"Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest?
3 Is vine wood ever used to make anything? Is it used to make pegs to hang things from?
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Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it?
4 "I don't think so. At best it's good for fuel. Look at it: a flimsy piece of vine, thrown in the fire and then rescued - the ends burned off and the middle charred. Now is it good for anything?
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Behold, it is given to 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 "Hardly. When it was whole it wasn't good for anything. Half-burned is no improvement. What's it good for?
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Behold, 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 "So here's the Message of God, the Master: Like the wood of the vine I selected from among the trees of the forest and used as fuel for the fire, just so I'll treat those who live in Jerusalem.
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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 have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
7 I am dead set against them. Even though at one time they got out of the fire charred, the fire's going to burn them up. When I take my stand against them, you'll realize that I am God.
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And I will set my face against them. Though they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, and you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
8 I'll turn this country into a wilderness because they've been faithless." Decree of God, the Master.
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And I will make the land desolate, because they have acted faithlessly, declares the Lord GOD."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.