Eze 15:4-7 | NET2full | STEP | No ! It is thrown in the fire for fuel ; when the fire has burned up both ends of it and it is charred in the middle , will it be useful for anything ?

‏ Ezekiel 15:4-7

4 No! ^{▼▼tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) draws one’s attention to something. Sometimes it may be translated as a verb of perception; here it is treated as a particle that fits the context (so also in v. 5, but with a different English word).} It is thrown in the fire for fuel; when the fire has burned up both ends of it and it is charred in the middle, will it be useful for anything? 5 Indeed! If it was not made into anything useful when it was whole, how much less can it be made into anything when the fire has burned it up and it is charred?

6 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Like the wood of the vine is among the trees of the forest that I have provided as fuel for the fire—so I will provide the residents of Jerusalem as fuel. ^{▼▼tn The words “as fuel” are not in the Hebrew text but are implied.} 7 I will set ^{▼▼tn The word translated “set” is the same Hebrew word translated as “provide” in the previous verse.} my face against them—although they have escaped from the fire, ^{▼▼sn This escape refers to the exile of Ezekiel and others in 597 b.c. (Ezek 1:2; 2 Kgs 24:10-16).} the fire will still consume them! Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I set my face against them.