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.
13. He took one of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he took away the leading men of the land,
14. so the kingdom might be humble and not exalt itself but might keep his covenant in order to endure.
15. However, this king revolted against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt so they might give him horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still escape?
16. “As I live” — this is the declaration of the Lord God — “he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke.