Jeremiah 23:1-5

The Righteous Branch 1“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD . 2Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD . 3“I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.

4I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD .

5“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David Or up from David’s line a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.