以西結書 15
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
葡萄樹的比喻
15 耶和華對我說： 2 「人子啊，葡萄木比林中其他木材更好嗎？ 3 葡萄木有什麼用呢？能用它製造掛鉤掛東西嗎？ 4 它只能用來當柴燒。如果火已經燒了它的兩頭，中間也燒黑了，它還有什麼用呢？ 5 它完好無損的時候，尚且不能用來製造工具，被火燒後豈不更沒用了嗎？ 6 所以，主耶和華說，我怎樣把林中的葡萄樹丟在火中當柴燒，也必照樣丟棄耶路撒冷的居民。 7 我必嚴懲他們。他們縱然火裡逃生，仍要被火燒滅。我嚴懲他們的時候，他們便知道我是耶和華。 8 我必使他們的土地荒涼，因為他們對我不忠。這是主耶和華說的。」
Ezekiel 15
Common English Bible
The vine’s wood
15 The Lord’s word came to me: 2 Human one, how is the vine’s wood better than the wood of all the trees in the forest? 3 Can you make anything useful from its wood? Can you make a peg from it and hang objects on it? 4 If not, can it be used as firewood? Fire would consume its two ends, but its middle part would only get charred. So is it useful for anything? 5 Look, even when it was whole, it was worthless. Now that the fire has consumed it, and it is charred, it’s even more useless.
6 Therefore, the Lord God proclaims: Of all the trees in the forest, I have decreed that the vine’s wood is destined to be consumed by fire. So also have I decreed for those who live in Jerusalem, 7 and I have confronted them. They may try to go out from the fire, but the fire will consume them. You will know that I am the Lord, because I confronted them. 8 I will turn the land into a ruin because they acted faithlessly, proclaims the Lord God.
Ezekiel 15
International Children’s Bible
Story of the Vine
15 The Lord spoke his word to me. He said: 2 “Human being, what good is the wood of the vine? Is it better than the wood of a tree in the forest? 3 Can wood be taken from the vine to make anything? Can you use it to make a peg on which to hang something? 4 The vine is thrown into the fire for fuel. The fire burns up both ends and starts to burn the middle. Then is it useful for anything? 5 When the vine was whole, it couldn’t be made into anything. When the fire has burned it completely, it certainly cannot be made into anything.”
6 So this is what the Lord God says: “Out of all the trees in the forest, I gave the wood of the vine as fuel for fire. In the same way I have given up the people who live in Jerusalem. 7 I will turn against them. They came through one fire. But fire will still destroy them. When I turn against them, you will know that I am the Lord. 8 So I will make the land empty. This is because the people have not been loyal, says the Lord God.”
Ezekiel 15
The Message
Used as Fuel for the Fire
15 1-3 God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, how would you compare the wood of a vine with the branches of any tree you’d find in the forest? Is vine wood ever used to make anything? Is it used to make pegs to hang things from?
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?
5 “Hardly. When it was whole it wasn’t good for anything. Half-burned is no improvement. What’s it good for?
6-8 “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. 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. I’ll turn this country into a wilderness because they’ve been faithless.” Decree of God, the Master.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson