Ezekiel 17:3–10

Say, ‘God, the Master, says:

“ ‘A great eagle

with a huge wingspan and long feathers,

In full plumage and bright colors,

came to Lebanon

And took the top off a cedar,

broke off the top branch,

Took it to a land of traders,

and set it down in a city of shopkeepers.

Then he took a cutting from the land

and planted it in good, well-watered soil,

like a willow on a riverbank.

It sprouted into a flourishing vine,

low to the ground.

Its branches grew toward the eagle

and the roots became established—

A vine putting out shoots,

developing branches.

^7–8“ ‘There was another great eagle

with a huge wingspan and thickly feathered.

This vine sent out its roots toward him

from the place where it was planted.

Its branches reached out to him

so he could water it

from a long distance.

It had been planted

in good, well-watered soil,

And it put out branches and bore fruit,

and became a noble vine.

^9–10“ ‘God, the Master, says,

Will it thrive?

Won’t he just pull it up by the roots

and leave the grapes to rot

And the branches to shrivel up,

a withered, dead vine?

It won’t take much strength

or many hands to pull it up.

Even if it’s transplanted,

will it thrive?

When the hot east wind strikes it,

won’t it shrivel up?

Won’t it dry up and blow away

from the place where it was planted?’ ”