Study Desk

They come to you in crowds, and they sit in front of you as my people. They hear your words, but do not obey them. For they talk lustfully, and their heart is set on their own advantage.

They were scattered because they had no shepherd, and they became food for every wild beast.

My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over the entire face of the earth with no one looking or searching for them.

As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord , my sheep have become prey and have become food for all the wild beasts. There was no shepherd, and my shepherds did not search for my flock, but fed themselves and did not feed my sheep,

This is what the sovereign Lord says: Look, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand my sheep from their hand. I will no longer let them be shepherds; the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore. I will rescue my sheep from their mouth, so that they will no longer be food for them.

"‘For this is what the sovereign Lord says: Look, I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out.

"‘As for you, my sheep, this is what the sovereign Lord says: Look, I am about to judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must trample the rest of your pastures with your feet? When you drink clean water, must you muddy the rest of the water by trampling it with your feet?

As for my sheep, they must eat what you trampled with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet!

They will no longer be prey for the nations and the wild beasts will not devour them. They will live securely and no one will make them afraid.

I will prepare for them a healthy planting. They will no longer be victims of famine in the land and will no longer bear the insults of the nations.

Then you will know that I, the Lord , have heard all the insults you spoke against the mountains of Israel, saying, "They are desolate, they have been given to us for food."

"As for you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say: ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord !

"‘But you, mountains of Israel, will grow your branches, and bear your fruit for my people Israel; for they will arrive soon.

For indeed, I am on your side; I will turn to you, and you will be plowed and planted.

I will increase the number of people and animals on you; they will increase and be fruitful. I will cause you to be inhabited as in ancient times, and will do more good for you than at the beginning of your history. Then you will know that I am the Lord .

I was concerned for my holy reputation which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went.

"Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake that I am about to act, O house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy reputation which you profaned among the nations where you went.

I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and multiply it; I will not bring a famine on you.

Understand that it is not for your sake I am about to act, declares the sovereign Lord . Be ashamed and embarrassed by your behavior, O house of Israel.