1 And the word of the LORD {YHWH, Prophetic Speaker} came to me, saying {lemor: introducing direct speech},
2 Son of man, what is the wood of the vine {gefen: grapevine} more than any wood, or the branch {zemorah: shoot or offshoot} that is among the trees of the forest?
3 Shall wood be taken from it to make anything for work {melaʾkhah: useful task}, or shall they take from it a peg {yated: peg or stake} to hang any vessel on it?
4 Behold, it is given to the fire {esh: consuming force} for fuel; the fire has consumed both its ends {ketzotav: extremities}, and its middle is charred. Will it succeed for any work?
5 Behold, when it was whole {tamim: whole, unblemished}, it was not fit for any work {limelakhah: purpose of useful labor}; how much less, after fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be fit for any work?
6 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH, Sovereign Master}: “As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for consuming {okhlah: total destruction}, so have I given the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”
7 And I will set my face {panai: determined opposition} against them; from the fire they have come out, but the fire will devour them; and you shall know that I am the LORD {YHWH, Just Judge} when I set my face against them.
8 And I will make the land desolate because they have committed unfaithfulness {ma‘al: act of unfaithfulness}, declares the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH, Sovereign Judge}.