Ezekiel

CHAPTER 15

Parable of the Vine.

what makes the wood of the vine

Better than the wood of branches

found on the trees in the forest?^a

to make something useful?

Can someone make even a peg out of it

on which to hang a vessel?

and the fire devours both ends of it,

Leaving the middle charred,

is it useful for anything then?

it cannot be used for anything;

So when fire has devoured and charred it,

how useful can it be?

Like vine wood among forest trees,

which I have given as fuel for fire,

So I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Although they have escaped the fire,

the fire will still devour them;

You shall know that I am the LORD,

when I set my face against them.^b

because they are so unfaithful—

oracle of the Lord GOD.

* [15:1–8] Verses 2–5 point out that the wood of the vinestock may be burned for fuel, fit only for destruction. In vv. 6–8 Ezekiel asserts that Jerusalem has the same destiny.

a. [15:2] cf. Ps 80; Is 5:1–7.

b. [15:7] Is 24:18; Am 9:1–4.