Jerusalem a Useless Vine

15 And the word of Yahweh came to me, ⌊saying⌋,a 2 “Son of man, how will the wood of the vine be ⌊better than⌋b ⌊any of the wood of⌋c the branch which is among the trees of the forest?d 3 Can wood be taken from it to make anything, or can they take a tent peg from it to hang on it any object?e 4 Look! It is given to the fire as fuel. The fire will consume two of its ends, and its middle will be charred. Is it useful for anything? 5 Look! ⌊When it is in perfect condition⌋,f it will not be used for anything, ⌊how much less⌋g ⌊when the fire has consumed it⌋h and it is charred; and then can it be used again for anything? 6 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: ⌊Just like⌋i the wood of the vine among the trees of the forestj which I gave to the fire for fuel, so I have given the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7 And I will set my face against them. From the fire they may ⌊escape⌋,k but the fire will yet consume them, and they will know that I am Yahweh ⌊when I set my face against them⌋.l 8 And I will make the land a desolation because ⌊they acted very unfaithfully⌋!”m ⌊declares⌋n the Lord Yahweh.