主耶和华说，以色列家阿，我为我名的缘故，不照着你们的恶行和你们的坏事待你们。你们就知道我是耶和华。
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
耶和华的话临到我说，
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
人子阿，你要面向南方，向南滴下预言攻击南方田野的树林。
Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
对南方的树林说，要听耶和华的话。主耶和华如此说，我必使火在你中间着起，烧灭你中间的一切青树和枯树，猛烈的火焰必不熄灭。从南到北，人的脸面都被烧焦。
And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
凡有血气的都必知道是我耶和华使火着起，这火必不熄灭。
And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
于是我说，哎。主耶和华阿，人都指着我说，他岂不是说比喻的吗。
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
就对他们说，你们也进葡萄园去，所当给的，我必给你们。他们也进去了。
And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
约在酉初出去，看见还有人站在那里。就问他们说，你们为什么整天在这里闲站呢。
And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
他们得了，就埋怨家主说，
And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
我们整天劳苦受热，那后来的只做了一小时，你竟叫他们和我们一样吗。
Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.