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"Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel,
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and say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, Full of feathers of various colors, Came to Lebanon And took from the cedar the highest branch.
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He cropped off its topmost young twig And carried it to a land of trade; He set it in a city of merchants.
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Then he took some of the seed of the land And planted it in a fertile field; He placed it by abundant waters And set it like a willow tree.
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And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature; Its branches turned toward him, But its roots were under it. So it became a vine, Brought forth branches, And put forth shoots.
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"But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, And stretched its branches toward him, From the garden terrace where it had been planted, That he might water it.
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It was planted in good soil by many waters, To bring forth branches, bear fruit, And become a majestic vine." '
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"Say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots, Cut off its fruit, And leave it to wither? All of its spring leaves will wither, And no great power or many people Will be needed to pluck it up by its roots.
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Behold, it is planted, Will it thrive? Will it not utterly wither when the east wind touches it? It will wither in the garden terrace where it grew." ' "
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Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
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"Say now to the rebellious house: 'Do you not know what these things mean?' Tell them, 'Indeed the king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and took its king and princes, and led them with him to Babylon.