9. Say: Thus says the Lord God: Can it thrive?Will he not tear up its rootsand strip its fruit?Then all its green leaves will wither—neither strong arm nor mighty nationis needed to uproot it.
10. True, it is planted; but will it thrive?Will it not wither upWhen the east wind strikes it,wither in the very bed where it sprouted?
11. The word of the Lord came to me:
12. Now say to the rebellious house:Do you not understand this? Tell them!The king of Babylon came to Jerusalemand took away its king and officialsand brought them to him in Babylon.
13. After removing the nobles from the land,he then took one of the royal lineAnd made a covenant with him,binding him under oath,
14. To be a humble kingdom,without high aspirations,to keep his covenant and so survive.
15. But this one rebelled against himby sending envoys to EgyptTo obtain horses and a mighty army.Can he thrive?Can he escape if he does this?Can he break a covenant and go free?