3. You are to say: This is what the Lord God says:A great eagle with great wings, long pinions,and full plumage of many colorscame to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.
4. He plucked off its topmost shoot,brought it to the land of merchants,and set it in a city of traders.
5. Then he took some of the land’s seedand put it in a fertile field; he set it like a willow, a plant by abundant waters.
6. It sprouted and became a spreading vine,low in height with its branches turned toward him, yet its roots stayed under it.So it became a vine,produced branches, and sent out shoots.
7. But there was another great eaglewith great wings and thick plumage.And this vine bent its roots toward him!It stretched out its branches to himfrom its planting bed, so that he might water it.
8. It had been plantedin a good field by abundant watersin order to produce branches,bear fruit, and become a splendid vine.
9. You are to say: This is what the Lord God says:Will it flourish?Will he not tear out its roots and strip off its fruitso that it shrivels?All its fresh leaves will wither!Great strength and many peoplewill not be needed to pull it from its roots.
10. Even though it is planted, will it flourish?Won’t it completely witherwhen the east wind strikes it? It will wither on the bed where it sprouted.”
11. The word of the Lord came to me:
12. “Now say to that rebellious house: Don’t you know what these things mean? Tell them: The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon.