| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1The word of the LORD came to me: | 1Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, |
| 2"Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest? | 2“Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest? |
| 3Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on? | 3Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils? |
| 4And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything? | 4No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything? |
| 5If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred? | 5Even when it was whole, it could not be made useful. How much less can it ever be useful when the fire has consumed it and charred it! |
| 6"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem. | 6Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the people of Jerusalem. |
| 7I will set my face against them. Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the LORD. | 7And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD. |
| 8I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign LORD." | 8Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’ declares the Lord GOD.” |
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