Ezekiel 17:5–10

^17:5He took one of the seedlings⁷ of the land,

placed it in a cultivated plot;⁸

a shoot by abundant water,

like a willow he planted it.

^17:6It sprouted and became a vine,

spreading low to the ground;⁹

its branches turning toward him,¹⁰ its roots were under itself.¹¹

So it became a vine; it produced shoots and sent out branches.

^17:7“ ‘There was another great eagle¹²

with broad wings and thick plumage.

Now this vine twisted its roots toward him

and sent its branches toward him

to be watered from the soil where it was planted.

^17:8In a good field, by abundant waters, it was planted

to grow branches, bear fruit, and become a beautiful vine.

^17:9“ ‘Say to them: This is what the sovereign Lord says:

“ ‘Will it prosper?

Will he not rip out its roots

and cause its fruit to rot¹³ and wither?

All its foliage¹⁴ will wither.

No strong arm or large army

will be needed to pull it out by its roots.¹⁵

^17:10Consider! It is planted, but will it prosper?

Will it not wither completely when the east wind blows on it?

Will it not wither in the soil where it sprouted?’ ”