葡萄树的比喻
耶和华的话临到我，说：
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2“人子啊，葡萄树比一切其他的树，就是树林里众树木的树枝，有什么长处呢？Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
3可以从其中取木料来做工吗？人可以拿来做钉子，挂东西在上面吗？Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?
4看哪，它已经抛在火中当柴烧，火既烧了两头，中间也烧焦了，它还有什么用处呢？Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work?
5看哪，它完整的时候尚且不能拿来做工，何况被火烧焦了，还能拿来做工吗？Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?
6所以，主耶和华如此说：我怎样使林中树里的葡萄树在火中当柴烧，我也必照样对待耶路撒冷的居民。Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
7我必向他们变脸；他们虽从火中逃出来，火仍要烧灭他们。我向他们变脸的时候，你们就知道我是耶和华。And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
8我必使这地荒凉，因为他们做了背叛的事。这是主耶和华说的。”And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord GOD.