Ezekiel 19

A Lament for the Princes of Israel

1 Now you, take up a lament for the princes of Israel

2 and say, “What was your mother, A lioness. She lay down among lions and raised her cubs.

3 She raised one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. He learned to tear prey and devour people.

4 The nations heard about him and trapped him in their pit. They put hooks in him and brought him to the land of Egypt.

5 When she saw that her hope was gone and she had waited in vain, she took another one of her cubs and made him a young lion.

6 He prowled among the lions and became a young lion. He learned to tear prey and devour people.

7 He tore down their fortified towers and laid waste their cities. The land and everything in it were terrified by the sound of his roaring.

8 Then the nations set themselves against him from the surrounding provinces. They spread their net over him, and he was caught in their pit.

9 With hooks they put him in a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon. They brought him into prison so his roar would no longer be heard on the mountains of Israel.

A Lament for the Fallen Vine

10 “Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the waters. It was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water.

11 It had strong branches fit for rulers’ scepters. It towered high above the thick foliage, standing out because of its height and many branches.

12 But it was uprooted in fury, thrown down to the ground. The east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were broken off and withered; fire consumed them.

13 Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.

14 Fire spread from one of its branches and consumed its fruit, so that no strong branch is left in it, no scepter for ruling.” This is a lament and is used as a lament.