rsv Ezekiel:17:2-10
rsv@Ezekiel:17:2 @ "Son of man, propound a riddle, and speak an allegory to the house of Israel;
rsv@Ezekiel:17:3 @ say, Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar;
rsv@Ezekiel:17:4 @ he broke off the topmost of its young twigs and carried it to a land of trade, and set it in a city of merchants.
rsv@Ezekiel:17:5 @ Then he took of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil; he placed it beside abundant waters. He set it like a willow twig,
rsv@Ezekiel:17:6 @ and it sprouted and became a low spreading vine, and its branches turned toward him, and its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine, and brought forth branches and put forth foliage.
rsv@Ezekiel:17:7 @ "But there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him that he might water it. From the bed where it was planted
rsv@Ezekiel:17:8 @ he transplanted it to good soil by abundant waters, that it might bring forth branches, and bear fruit, and become a noble vine.
rsv@Ezekiel:17:9 @ Say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its branches, so that all its fresh sprouting leaves wither? It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it from its roots.
rsv@Ezekiel:17:10 @ Behold, when it is transplanted, will it thrive? Will it not utterly wither when the east wind strikes it--wither away on the bed where it grew?"