Israel's Irresponsible Leaders

(A)All you beasts of the field, come to devour—
    all you beasts in the forest.
10 (B)His watchmen are blind;
    they are all without knowledge;
they are all silent (C)dogs;
    they cannot bark,
dreaming, lying down,
    loving to slumber.
11 (D)The dogs have a mighty appetite;
    they never have enough.
But (E)they are shepherds who have no understanding;
    they have all turned to their own way,
    (F)each to his own gain, one and all.
12 (G)“Come,” they say, “let me get wine;
    let us fill ourselves with strong drink;
(H)and tomorrow will be like this day,
    great beyond measure.”

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Sinful Leaders Condemned

Come, wild animals of the field!
    Come, wild animals of the forest!
    Come and devour my people!
10 For the leaders of my people—
    the Lord’s watchmen, his shepherds—
    are blind and ignorant.
They are like silent watchdogs
    that give no warning when danger comes.
They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.
11     Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied.
They are ignorant shepherds,
    all following their own path
    and intent on personal gain.
12 “Come,” they say, “let’s get some wine and have a party.
    Let’s all get drunk.
Then tomorrow we’ll do it again
    and have an even bigger party!”

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