1And this word of the LORD came to me, 2“Son of man, how does the vine differ from any other tree branch found in the forest? 3Can wood from it be used to build anything useful? Or can men fashion a peg from it to hang anything on it? 4If it is tossed into the fire for fuel; and the fire burns both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred. Is it useful for any purpose? 5Behold, even when it was whole, it was not fit for any purpose; how much less useful shall it be when the fire has burned and charred it? 6Therefore, thus says the LORD God: ‘As I have given the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7And I will see to it that if some escape from one fire, another fire shall consume them; and when I shall set Myself against them, they shall know that I am the LORD. 8And I will make the land desolate, because they have been unfaithful,’ says the LORD God.”