Ezekiel 17:5–10

⁵Then he took some of the land’s seed

and put it in a fertile field; ^e

he set it like a willow, ^f

a plant ^gby abundant waters.

⁶It sprouted and became a spreading vine,

low in height with its branches turned toward him, ^h

yet its roots stayed under it.

So it became a vine,

produced branches, and sent out shoots.

⁷But there was another great eagle

with great wings and thick plumage.

And this vine bent its roots toward him!

It stretched out its branches to him

from its planting bed, ⁱ

so that he might water it.

⁸It had been planted

in a good field by abundant waters

in order to produce branches,

bear fruit, and become a splendid vine.

⁹You are to say: This is what the Lord God says:

Will it flourish?

Will he not tear out its roots ^j

and strip off its fruit

so that it shrivels?

All its fresh leaves will wither!

Great strength and many people

will not be needed to pull it from its roots.

¹⁰Even though it is planted, will it flourish?

Won’t it completely wither

when the east wind strikes it? ^k

It will wither on the bed where it sprouted.”