1 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, is the wood of a vine better than that of any tree—even a branch from any of the trees of the forest? 3 Is its wood taken to make anything? Does one make even a peg from it to hang something on it? 4 Of course not. It is thrown into the fire for fuel; when the fire has devoured both ends of it, and it is burned in the middle, even then is it useful for anything? 5 Look, when it was whole, it was useless, how much less when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it be useful for anything? 6 Therefore, this is what the sovereign LORD says: As the grapevine among the trees of the forest, which I have thrown into the fire for fuel, so will I throw the inhabitants of Jerusalem into the fire. 7 I will set my face against them; although they may escape from the fire, but the fire will still devour them. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them. 8 I will make the land desolate, because they have been unfaithful, says the sovereign LORD."