Ezekiel 31:3-9

3Think about how powerful Assyria was. At one time, it was as strong as a great cedar tree in Lebanon. It had beautiful branches that gave shade in the forest. It was very tall. Its top reached up to the clouds.

4Springs of water from under the ground helped it to grow very tall. Rivers passed around the place where the tree was. Streams from there gave water to all the trees in the forest.

5So this cedar tree grew taller than all the other trees. Its branches became large and very long. It grew very well because it had plenty of water.

6All kinds of birds built their nests among its leaves. Under its branches, the wild animals gave birth. All the great nations lived in its shade.

7It was great and beautiful, with long branches. Its roots went down deep into the ground and they drank plenty of water.

8The cedar trees in God's garden were not as beautiful. The branches of the pine trees were not as strong. No other tree in God's garden was nearly as great or as beautiful.

9I made that tree beautiful, with all its strong branches. All the trees in Eden, God's garden, were jealous of that tree.