The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 God's Message came to me:
1
The word of the LORD came to me:
2 "Son of man, make a riddle for the house of Israel. Tell them a story.
2
“Son of man, set forth an allegory and tell it to the Israelites as a parable.
3 Say, 'God, the Master, says: "'A great eagle with a huge wingspan and long feathers, In full plumage and bright colors, came to Lebanon And took the top off a cedar,
3
Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors came to Lebanon. Taking hold of the top of a cedar,
4 broke off the top branch, Took it to a land of traders, and set it down in a city of shopkeepers.
4
he broke off its topmost shoot and carried it away to a land of merchants, where he planted it in a city of traders.
5 Then he took a cutting from the land and planted it in good, well-watered soil, like a willow on a riverbank.
5
“ ‘He took one of the seedlings of the land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water,
6 It sprouted into a flourishing vine, low to the ground. Its branches grew toward the eagle and the roots became established - A vine putting out shoots, developing branches.
6
and it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out leafy boughs.
7 "'There was another great eagle with a huge wingspan and thickly feathered. This vine sent out its roots toward him from the place where it was planted. Its branches reached out to him so he could water it from a long distance.
7
“ ‘But there was another great eagle with powerful wings and full plumage. The vine now sent out its roots toward him from the plot where it was planted and stretched out its branches to him for water.
8 It had been planted in good, well-watered soil, And it put out branches and bore fruit, and became a noble vine.
8
It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.’
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.
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.