New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 A message came to me from the Lord. He said,
1
The word of the LORD came to me:
2 "Son of man, is the wood of a vine better than the wood of any of the trees 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 its wood ever be made into anything useful? Can pegs be made from it to hang things on?
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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 "Suppose it is thrown in the fire to be burned. And the fire burns both ends and blackens the middle. Then 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 It was not useful when it was whole. So how can it be made into something useful now? The fire has burned it and blackened it."
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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 The LORD and King says, "Instead of the wood of any tree in the forest, I have given the vine to burn in the fire. I will treat the people who live in Jerusalem the same way.
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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 I will turn against them. They might have come out of the fire. But the fire will destroy them anyway. I will turn against them. Then they 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 I will make the land a dry and empty desert. My people have not been faithful to me," announces the LORD and King.
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I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.