New International Version NIV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 The word of the LORD came to me:
1
And the word of the LORD came to me:
2 “Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest?
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"Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest?
3 Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on?
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Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do men take a peg from it to hang any vessel on?
4 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?
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Lo, 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 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?
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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 “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.
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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 will I give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
7 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.
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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 will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
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And I will make the land desolate, because they have acted faithlessly, says the Lord GOD."
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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.