Jeremiah 23:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Jeremiah 23:1

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

Woe

Pastors

Bible References

Woe

The priests did not ask: 'Where is Jehovah? Those who deal with my Law did not know me. The rulers rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied in the name of Baal and followed things that could not help (profit) them.'

The Lord Jehovah said: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing.

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy to these shepherds. Tell them: 'The Lord Jehovah says: How horrible it will be for the shepherds of Israel who have been taking care of only themselves. Should shepherds take care of the sheep?

Woe to the worthless shepherd that leaves the flock! The sword will be upon his arm, and upon his right eye. His arm will be withered and dried up, and his right eye will be blind.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter.

Woe to you Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God. You should have done these but you leave them undone.

Pastors

This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says concerning the shepherds who are tending my people: You have scattered my flock and driven them away. You have not attended to them. I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds, says Jehovah.

The shepherds are foolish. They do not look to Jehovah for help. That is why they will not succeed and all their flocks will be scattered.

Many foreign rulers have destroyed my vineyard. They trampled down my fields and turned my beautiful land into a desert.

The wind will sweep away all your shepherds. Your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will surely be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness.

Mourn, you shepherds, and cry. Roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. The time has come for you to be slaughtered. The time has come for you to be scattered, and you will break like fine pottery.

My people have become lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains. They have gone along from mountain to hill and have forgotten their resting place.

Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!

There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives. They have taken treasure and precious things. They have made many widows in the midst of her.

The leaders judge for a bribe, and the priests teach for wages! The prophets predict for money yet they rely on Jehovah when they say: Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? No evil will come upon us.

Her princes (rulers) within her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing till the morning.

Their owners slay them and claim they are not guilty. They that sell them say: Blessed be Jehovah, for I am rich and their own shepherds do not pity them.

When he saw the large crowds of people, he was moved with compassion for them. He knew they were distressed and scattered like sheep not having a shepherd.

Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together.

The thief comes to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.