^5 (A)So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and ^(B)they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered;

^36 (A)When he saw the crowds, ^(B)he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, ^(C)like sheep without a shepherd.

¹⁶ And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, ^(A)as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’”

^8 (A)As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because ^(B)my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep,

² Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning ^(A)the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. ^(B)Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord.

²⁹ I ^(A)know that after my departure ^(B)fierce wolves will come in among you, ^(C)not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and ^(D)from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore ^(E)be alert, remembering that ^(F)for three years I did not cease night or day ^(G)to admonish every one ^(H)with tears.

^17 (A)“Israel is a hunted sheep ^(B)driven away by lions. ^(C)First the king of Assyria ^(D)devoured him, and now at last ^(E)Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon ^(F)has gnawed his bones.

Israel's Irresponsible Leaders