Jerusalem as a Useless Vine

15 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, how is the wood of a vine^(A) different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest? ³ Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful?^(B) Do they make pegs^(C) from it to hang things 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?^{(D) 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?

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. ⁷ I will set my face against^(E) them. Although they have come out of the fire^(F), the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the Lord.^{(G) 8} I will make the land desolate^(H) because they have been unfaithful,^(I) declares the Sovereign Lord.”

¹⁷ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ¹⁸ “Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross^(A) to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace.^(B) They are but the dross of silver.^{(C) 19} Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have all become dross,^(D) I will gather you into Jerusalem. ²⁰ As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you.^{(E) 21} I will gather you and I will blow^(F) on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her.^(G)

⁴⁶ “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Bring a mob^(A) against them and give them over to terror and plunder.^{(B) 47} The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords; they will kill their sons and daughters^(C) and burn^(D) down their houses.^(E)

¹⁵ Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “See, I will make this people eat bitter food^(A) and drink poisoned water.^{(B) 16} I will scatter them among nations^(C) that neither they nor their ancestors have known,^(D) and I will pursue them with the sword^(E) until I have made an end of them.”^(F)

¹³ then tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to fill with drunkenness^(A) all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ I will smash them one against the other, parents and children alike, declares the Lord. I will allow no pity^(B) or mercy or compassion^(C) to keep me from destroying^(D) them.’”

¹¹ “Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty,^(A) the God of Israel, says: I am determined to bring disaster^(B) on you and to destroy all Judah.