Onebaskethad verygoodfigs,like first-ripefigs,and the otherbaskethad verybadfigswhichcould not be eatendueto rottenness.
"Whatmorewas there to dofor My vineyardthat I have not donein it? Why,when I expected[it] to produce[good] grapesdid it produceworthlessones?
For the vineyardof the LORDof hostsis the houseof IsraelAnd the menof JudahHis delightfulplant.Thus He lookedfor justice,but behold,bloodshed;For righteousness,but behold,a cryof distress.
thussaysthe LORDof hosts,'Behold,I am sendingupon them the sword,famineand pestilence,and I will makethem like split-openfigsthat cannotbe eatendueto rottenness.
I foundIsraellike grapesin the wilderness;I sawyour forefathersas the earliestfruiton the figtreein its first[season]. [But] they cameto Baal-peorand devotedthemselves to shame,And they becameas detestableas that whichthey loved.
Woeis me! For I amLike the fruitpickers,like the grapegatherers.Thereis not a clusterof grapes to eat,[Or] a first-ripefig[which] I crave.
Allyour fortificationsare figtreeswith ripefruit--Whenshaken,they fallinto the eater'smouth.
"The firstripefruitsof allthat is in their land,whichthey bringto the LORD,shall be yours; everyoneof your householdwho is cleanmay eatit.
"You are the saltof the earth;but ifthe salthas become tasteless,howcan it be made salty[again]? It is nolongergoodfor anything,exceptto be thrownout and trampled under footby men.
