Lectionary Calendar
Monday, August 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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Read the Bible
Easy-to-Read Version
Jeremiah 25:34
Shepherds, you should be leading the sheep. Start crying, you great leaders! Roll around on the ground in pain, you leaders of the sheep. It is now time for your slaughter. You will be scattered everywhere, like pieces flying from a broken jar.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out.Roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock.Because the days of your slaughter have come,you will fall and become shattered like a precious vase.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out.Roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock.Because the days of your slaughter have come,you will fall and become shattered like a precious vase.
Hebrew Names Version
Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], you principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and you shall fall like a goodly vessel.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], you principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and you shall fall like a goodly vessel.
King James Version
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
English Standard Version
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry out, and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come, and you shall fall like a choice vessel.
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry out, and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come, and you shall fall like a choice vessel.
New American Standard Bible
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; Wallow in the dust, you masters of the flock; For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions have come, And you will fall like a precious vessel.
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; Wallow in the dust, you masters of the flock; For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions have come, And you will fall like a precious vessel.
New Century Version
Cry, you leaders! Cry out loud! Roll around in the dust, leaders of the people! It is now time for you to be killed. You will fall and be scattered, like pieces of a broken jar.
Cry, you leaders! Cry out loud! Roll around in the dust, leaders of the people! It is now time for you to be killed. You will fall and be scattered, like pieces of a broken jar.
Amplified Bible
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry; And roll in ashes, you masters of the flock. For the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have come in full, And you will fall and be broken into pieces like a choice vessel.
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry; And roll in ashes, you masters of the flock. For the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have come in full, And you will fall and be broken into pieces like a choice vessel.
World English Bible
Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], you principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and you shall fall like a goodly vessel.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], you principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and you shall fall like a goodly vessel.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Howle, ye shepherdes, and crie, and wallowe your selues in the ashes, ye principall of the flocke: for your dayes of slaughter are accomplished, and of your dispersion, and ye shall fall like precious vessels.
Howle, ye shepherdes, and crie, and wallowe your selues in the ashes, ye principall of the flocke: for your dayes of slaughter are accomplished, and of your dispersion, and ye shall fall like precious vessels.
Legacy Standard Bible
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out;And roll yourselves in ashes, you masters of the flock;For the days of your slaughter and your scatterings are being fulfilled,And you will fall like a desirable vessel.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out;And roll yourselves in ashes, you masters of the flock;For the days of your slaughter and your scatterings are being fulfilled,And you will fall like a desirable vessel.
Berean Standard Bible
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. For the days of your slaughter have come; you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. For the days of your slaughter have come; you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery.
Contemporary English Version
The Lord 's people are his flock, and you leaders were the shepherds. But now it's your turn to be butchered like sheep. You'll shatter like fine pottery dropped on the floor. So roll on the ground, crying and mourning.
The Lord 's people are his flock, and you leaders were the shepherds. But now it's your turn to be butchered like sheep. You'll shatter like fine pottery dropped on the floor. So roll on the ground, crying and mourning.
Complete Jewish Bible
"Wail, shepherds! Cry! Wallow in the dust, you lords of the flock! For the days for your slaughter have come. I will break you in pieces, and like a prized vase you will fall."
"Wail, shepherds! Cry! Wallow in the dust, you lords of the flock! For the days for your slaughter have come. I will break you in pieces, and like a prized vase you will fall."
Darby Translation
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the dust], noble ones of the flock: for the days of your slaughter are accomplished, and I will disperse you; and ye shall fall like a precious vessel.
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the dust], noble ones of the flock: for the days of your slaughter are accomplished, and I will disperse you; and ye shall fall like a precious vessel.
George Lamsa Translation
Howl, you shepherds, and cry; wallow in the ashes, you who have great flocks; for the days of your slaughter are at hand, anal you shall be broken, and fall like choice vessels.
Howl, you shepherds, and cry; wallow in the ashes, you who have great flocks; for the days of your slaughter are at hand, anal you shall be broken, and fall like choice vessels.
Good News Translation
Cry, you leaders, you shepherds of my people, cry out loud! Mourn and roll in the dust. The time has come for you to be slaughtered, and you will be butchered like rams.
Cry, you leaders, you shepherds of my people, cry out loud! Mourn and roll in the dust. The time has come for you to be slaughtered, and you will be butchered like rams.
Lexham English Bible
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out. And roll about in mourning in the dust, O leaders of the flock. For your days of slaughter and your dispersions have arrived, and you will fall like a vessel of desire.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out. And roll about in mourning in the dust, O leaders of the flock. For your days of slaughter and your dispersions have arrived, and you will fall like a vessel of desire.
Literal Translation
Howl, O shepherds, and cry, and roll in ashes , O leaders of the flock! For the days of your slaughter and of your scatterings are fulfilled, and you shall fall like a desirable vessel.
Howl, O shepherds, and cry, and roll in ashes , O leaders of the flock! For the days of your slaughter and of your scatterings are fulfilled, and you shall fall like a desirable vessel.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Mourne (o ye shepherdes) & crie: sprinckle youre selues with a?shes, o ye rammes of the flocke: for the tyme of youre slaughter is fulfilled, and ye shal fall like vessels connyngly made for pleasure.
Mourne (o ye shepherdes) & crie: sprinckle youre selues with a?shes, o ye rammes of the flocke: for the tyme of youre slaughter is fulfilled, and ye shal fall like vessels connyngly made for pleasure.
American Standard Version
Wail, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow in ashes, ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and ye shall fall like a goodly vessel.
Wail, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow in ashes, ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and ye shall fall like a goodly vessel.
Bible in Basic English
Give cries of grief, you keepers of sheep; give cries for help, rolling yourselves in the dust, you chiefs of the flock: for the days of your destruction have fully come, and I will send you in all directions, and your fall will be like that of the males of the flock.
Give cries of grief, you keepers of sheep; give cries for help, rolling yourselves in the dust, you chiefs of the flock: for the days of your destruction have fully come, and I will send you in all directions, and your fall will be like that of the males of the flock.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Wail, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the dust, ye leaders of the flock; for the days of your slaughter are fully come, and I will break you in pieces, and ye shall fall like a precious vessel.
Wail, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the dust, ye leaders of the flock; for the days of your slaughter are fully come, and I will break you in pieces, and ye shall fall like a precious vessel.
King James Version (1611)
Howle yee shepheards and cry, and wallow your selues in the ashes ye principall of the flocke: for the dayes of your slaughter, and of your dispersions are accomplished, and yee shall fall like a pleasant vessell.
Howle yee shepheards and cry, and wallow your selues in the ashes ye principall of the flocke: for the dayes of your slaughter, and of your dispersions are accomplished, and yee shall fall like a pleasant vessell.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Mourne O ye sheepheardes, and crye, sprinckle your selues with asshes O ye rammes of the flocke: for the tyme of your slaughter and breache is fulfylled, and ye shall fall lyke vessels that were much set by.
Mourne O ye sheepheardes, and crye, sprinckle your selues with asshes O ye rammes of the flocke: for the tyme of your slaughter and breache is fulfylled, and ye shall fall lyke vessels that were much set by.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
THE PROPHECIES OF JEREMIAS AGAINST THE NATIONS OF ÆLAM.
THE PROPHECIES OF JEREMIAS AGAINST THE NATIONS OF ÆLAM.
English Revised Version
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter are fully come, and I will break you in pieces, and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter are fully come, and I will break you in pieces, and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Yelle, ye scheepherdis, and crye, and, ye princypals of the floc, bispreynge you with aische; for youre daies ben fillid, that ye be slayn, and youre scateryngis ben fillid, and ye schulen falle as precious vessels.
Yelle, ye scheepherdis, and crye, and, ye princypals of the floc, bispreynge you with aische; for youre daies ben fillid, that ye be slayn, and youre scateryngis ben fillid, and ye schulen falle as precious vessels.
Update Bible Version
Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], you principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have fully come, and you shall fall like a goodly vessel.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], you principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have fully come, and you shall fall like a goodly vessel.
Webster's Bible Translation
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
New English Translation
Wail and cry out in anguish, you rulers! Roll in the dust, you who shepherd flocks of people! The time for you to be slaughtered has come. You will lie scattered and fallen like broken pieces of fine pottery.
Wail and cry out in anguish, you rulers! Roll in the dust, you who shepherd flocks of people! The time for you to be slaughtered has come. You will lie scattered and fallen like broken pieces of fine pottery.
New King James Version
"Wail, shepherds, and cry! Roll about in the ashes, You leaders of the flock! For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions are fulfilled; You shall fall like a precious vessel.
"Wail, shepherds, and cry! Roll about in the ashes, You leaders of the flock! For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions are fulfilled; You shall fall like a precious vessel.
New Living Translation
Weep and moan, you evil shepherds! Roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock! The time of your slaughter has arrived; you will fall and shatter like a fragile vase.
Weep and moan, you evil shepherds! Roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock! The time of your slaughter has arrived; you will fall and shatter like a fragile vase.
New Life Bible
Cry in a loud voice, you shepherds. And roll in ashes, you leaders of the flock. For the days for you to be killed and sent everywhere have come, and you will fall and be broken like a fine pot.
Cry in a loud voice, you shepherds. And roll in ashes, you leaders of the flock. For the days for you to be killed and sent everywhere have come, and you will fall and be broken like a fine pot.
New Revised Standard
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter have come—and your dispersions, and you shall fall like a choice vessel.
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter have come—and your dispersions, and you shall fall like a choice vessel.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Howl ye shepherds and make outcry, And roll in the dust ye illustrious of the flock, Because your days for being slaughtered, are fulfilled, - Therefore will I break you in pieces, and ye shall fall like a precious vessel!
Howl ye shepherds and make outcry, And roll in the dust ye illustrious of the flock, Because your days for being slaughtered, are fulfilled, - Therefore will I break you in pieces, and ye shall fall like a precious vessel!
Douay-Rheims Bible
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry: and sprinkle yourselves with ashes, ye leaders of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and your dispersion are accomplished, and you shall fall like precious vessels.
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry: and sprinkle yourselves with ashes, ye leaders of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and your dispersion are accomplished, and you shall fall like precious vessels.
Revised Standard Version
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry, and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come, and you shall fall like choice rams.
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry, and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come, and you shall fall like choice rams.
Young's Literal Translation
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry, And roll yourselves, ye honourable of the flock, For full have been your days, For slaughtering, and [for] your scatterings, And ye have fallen as a desirable vessel.
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry, And roll yourselves, ye honourable of the flock, For full have been your days, For slaughtering, and [for] your scatterings, And ye have fallen as a desirable vessel.
THE MESSAGE
Wail, shepherds! Cry out for help! Grovel in the dirt, you masters of flocks! Time's up—you're slated for the slaughterhouse, like a choice ram with its throat cut. There's no way out for the rulers, no escape for those shepherds. Hear that? Rulers crying for help, shepherds of the flock wailing! God is about to ravage their fine pastures. The peaceful sheepfolds will be silent with death, silenced by God 's deadly anger. God will come out into the open like a lion leaping from its cover, And the country will be torn to pieces, ripped and ravaged by his anger.
Wail, shepherds! Cry out for help! Grovel in the dirt, you masters of flocks! Time's up—you're slated for the slaughterhouse, like a choice ram with its throat cut. There's no way out for the rulers, no escape for those shepherds. Hear that? Rulers crying for help, shepherds of the flock wailing! God is about to ravage their fine pastures. The peaceful sheepfolds will be silent with death, silenced by God 's deadly anger. God will come out into the open like a lion leaping from its cover, And the country will be torn to pieces, ripped and ravaged by his anger.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry; And wallow in ashes, you masters of the flock; For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions have come, And you will fall like a choice vessel.
"Wail, you shepherds, and cry; And wallow in ashes, you masters of the flock; For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions have come, And you will fall like a choice vessel.
Contextual Overview
30 "Jeremiah, you will give them this message: ‘The Lord shouts from above. He shouts from his holy Temple. He shouts against his people. His shouts are loud like the songs of people walking on grapes to make wine. 31 The noise spreads to all the people on earth. What is all the noise about? The Lord tells why he is punishing all the nations. He has given his arguments against them. He has judged them, and now he is killing the wicked with his sword.'" This message is from the Lord . 32 This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: "Disasters will soon spread from country to country. They will come like a powerful storm to all the faraway places on earth!" 33 The dead bodies of those killed by the Lord will reach from one end of the earth to the other. No one will cry for them. No one will gather up their bodies and bury them. They will be left lying on the ground like dung. 34 Shepherds, you should be leading the sheep. Start crying, you great leaders! Roll around on the ground in pain, you leaders of the sheep. It is now time for your slaughter. You will be scattered everywhere, like pieces flying from a broken jar. 35 There will be no place for the shepherds to hide. They will not escape. 36 I hear the shepherds shouting. I hear the leaders of the sheep crying, because the Lord is destroying their pastures. 37 Those peaceful pastures will be ruined because of the Lord 's anger. 38 He is like an angry lion that has left his cave. And because of his terrible anger and by the attacks of the enemy army, their land will become an empty desert.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Howl: Jeremiah 25:23, Jeremiah 25:36, Jeremiah 4:8, Jeremiah 4:9, Ezekiel 34:16, James 5:1, James 5:2
ye shepherds: Ye kings and chiefs of the people
wallow: Jeremiah 6:26, Jeremiah 48:26, Ezekiel 27:30, Ezekiel 27:31
ye principal: Ezekiel 34:17, Ezekiel 34:20
the days of your: Heb. your days for, Jeremiah 25:12, Jeremiah 27:7, Jeremiah 51:20-26, Isaiah 10:12, Isaiah 33:1, Lamentations 4:21
ye shall: Jeremiah 19:10-12, Jeremiah 22:28, Psalms 2:9, Isaiah 30:14
pleasant vessel: Heb. vessel of desire, Jeremiah 3:19, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Isaiah 2:16, Daniel 11:8, Amos 5:11, *marg.
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 5:12 - the cry 2 Samuel 9:7 - eat bread 1 Kings 20:6 - pleasant Isaiah 13:6 - Howl ye Jeremiah 18:22 - a cry Jeremiah 23:1 - pastors Jeremiah 48:12 - empty Jeremiah 48:38 - broken Ezekiel 21:12 - howl Ezekiel 26:12 - thy pleasant houses Nahum 2:9 - pleasant furniture Zephaniah 1:11 - Howl Zechariah 11:3 - a voice
Cross-References
Genesis 25:16
These were the names of Ishmael's sons. Each son had his own camp that became a small town. The twelve sons were leaders over their own people.
These were the names of Ishmael's sons. Each son had his own camp that became a small town. The twelve sons were leaders over their own people.
Genesis 25:17
Ishmael lived to be 137 years old. Then he died and went to be with his people.
Ishmael lived to be 137 years old. Then he died and went to be with his people.
Genesis 25:18
His descendants settled throughout the desert area from Havilah to Shur. This area begins near Egypt and goes toward Assyria. Ishmael's people were often at war with the other descendants of Abraham.
His descendants settled throughout the desert area from Havilah to Shur. This area begins near Egypt and goes toward Assyria. Ishmael's people were often at war with the other descendants of Abraham.
Genesis 25:19
This is the story of Isaac. Abraham had a son named Isaac.
This is the story of Isaac. Abraham had a son named Isaac.
Genesis 25:20
When Isaac was 40 years old, he married Rebekah. Rebekah was from Paddan Aram. She was Bethuel's daughter and the sister of Laban the Aramean.
When Isaac was 40 years old, he married Rebekah. Rebekah was from Paddan Aram. She was Bethuel's daughter and the sister of Laban the Aramean.
Psalms 106:24
But then they refused to go into the wonderful land of Canaan. They did not believe that God would help them defeat the people there.
But then they refused to go into the wonderful land of Canaan. They did not believe that God would help them defeat the people there.
Ecclesiastes 8:15
So I decided it was more important to enjoy life because the best thing people can do in this life is to eat, drink, and enjoy life. At least that will help people enjoy the hard work God gave them to do during their life on earth.
So I decided it was more important to enjoy life because the best thing people can do in this life is to eat, drink, and enjoy life. At least that will help people enjoy the hard work God gave them to do during their life on earth.
Isaiah 22:13
But look, everyone was happy. The people rejoiced, saying, "Kill the cattle and sheep, and let's celebrate. Let's eat meat and drink wine. Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
But look, everyone was happy. The people rejoiced, saying, "Kill the cattle and sheep, and let's celebrate. Let's eat meat and drink wine. Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Zechariah 11:13
Then the Lord told me, "So that's how much they think I'm worth. Throw that large amount of money into the Temple treasury." So I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw them into the treasury at the Lord 's Temple.
Then the Lord told me, "So that's how much they think I'm worth. Throw that large amount of money into the Temple treasury." So I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw them into the treasury at the Lord 's Temple.
Matthew 22:5
"But when the servants told the people to come, they refused to listen. They all went to do other things. One went to work in his field, and another went to his business.
"But when the servants told the people to come, they refused to listen. They all went to do other things. One went to work in his field, and another went to his business.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry,.... The Targum is,
"howl, ye kings, and cry;''
and the rulers and governors of the nations before threatened with destruction are meant; who are here called upon to lamentation and mourning for the ruin and loss of their kingdoms; though Calvin thinks that this is an apostrophe to the Jewish nation, and the rulers of it. It is no uncommon thing in Scripture to call kings and civil magistrates shepherds; see Jeremiah 23:1;
and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock; or "roll yourselves [in dust]", as a token of mourning; as being in the utmost distress, and incapable of helping themselves, and redressing the grievances of their people; and therefore lie down and tumble about as in the greatest anxiety and trouble, the Targum is,
"cover your heads with ashes, ye mighty of the people;''
meaning those who were in the highest posts of honour and profit; the chief as to authority and power, riches and wealth;
for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; the time is come when they who were the fat of the flock, and were nourished up for slaughter, should be slain. The allusion to shepherds and sheep is still kept up; and such who should escape that, should be scattered up and down the world, as a flock of sheep is by the wolf, or any other beast of prey, when some are seized and devoured, and others dispersed; and this was not the case of the Jews only, but of other nations in their turn;
and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel; a vessel of worth and value, and so desirable; as vessels of glass, of gems, or of earth, as of Venice glass, of alabaster, of China; which when they fall and are broken, become useless, and are irreparable; signifying hereby, that their desirableness and excellency would not secure them from destruction, and that their ruin would be irretrievable.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Principal of the flock - i. e., noble ones.
Wallow yourselves in the ashes - Rather, roll yourselves on the ground.
For ... - Read; “for your days for being slaughtered are accomplished, and I will scatter you” (or, (dash you in pieces).
Fall like a pleasant vessel - The comparison suggests the idea of change from a thing of value into worthless fragments.
Jeremiah 25:36
Hath spoiled - Or, spoileth.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Jeremiah 25:34. Howl, ye shepherds — Ye kings and chiefs of the people.
Ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. — As a fall will break and utterly ruin a precious vessel of crystal, agate, &c., so your overthrow will be to you irreparable ruin.
