A Prophecy against the South

45 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 46 “Son of man, set your face toward the south,[fn] preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev. 47 Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched. 48 Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.”

49 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”