“ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

“耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊，你常杀害先知，又用石头打死那奉差遣到你这里来的人。我多次愿意聚集你的儿女，好像母鸡把小鸡聚集在翅膀底下，只是你们不愿意。

“耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊，你常杀害先知，又用石头打死那奉差遣到你这里来的人。我多少次想聚集你的儿女，好像母鸡把小鸡聚集在翅膀底下，但是你们不愿意。

“耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊，你常杀害先知，又用石头打死那奉差遣到你这里来的人。我多少次想聚集你的儿女，好像母鸡把小鸡聚集在翅膀底下，但是你们不愿意。

“耶路撒冷啊！耶路撒冷啊！你常杀害先知，又用石头打死派到你那里的使者。我多次想要招聚你的儿女，像母鸡将小鸡聚集在翅膀底下，可是你们却不肯。

“耶路撒冷，耶路撒冷啊，你杀害先知，又用石头把奉派到你们那里的人打死。我多次想招聚你的儿女，好像母鸡招聚小鸡到翅膀底下，只是你们不愿意。

“耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷！这城杀害先知们，又用石头砸死被差到她这里的人！我多次想聚集你的儿女，像母鸡把自己的小鸡聚集在翅膀下，可是你们不愿意！

「耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊，你常殺害先知，又用石頭打死那奉差遣到你這裏來的人。我多次願意聚集你的兒女，好像母雞把小雞聚集在翅膀底下，只是你們不願意。

「耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊，你常殺害先知，又用石頭打死那奉差遣到你這裏來的人。我多少次想聚集你的兒女，好像母雞把小雞聚集在翅膀底下，但是你們不願意。

「耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷啊，你常殺害先知，又用石頭打死那奉差遣到你這裏來的人。我多少次想聚集你的兒女，好像母雞把小雞聚集在翅膀底下，但是你們不願意。

「耶路撒冷啊！耶路撒冷啊！你常殺害先知，又用石頭打死派到你那裡的使者。我多次想要招聚你的兒女，像母雞將小雞聚集在翅膀底下，可是你們卻不肯。

“耶路撒冷，耶路撒冷啊，你殺害先知，又用石頭把奉派到你們那裡的人打死。我多次想招聚你的兒女，好像母雞招聚小雞到翅膀底下，只是你們不願意。

『耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷，你常殺害神言人，扔石頭打死奉差遣到你裏面去的人。我多少次願意聚集你的兒女，彷彿母雞把自己的小雞聚集在翅膀底下，你們卻不願意！

「耶路撒冷啊，耶路撒冷！這城殺害先知們，又用石頭砸死被差到她這裡的人！我多次想聚集你的兒女，像母雞把自己的小雞聚集在翅膀下，可是你們不願意！

耶路撒冷歟、耶路撒冷歟、殺先知石擊使於爾者乎、我欲集爾赤子、似牝鷄集雛翼下者屢矣、而爾不欲也、

耶路撒冷乎、耶路撒冷乎、爾殺先知、石擊奉使者、我欲集爾赤子、似母鷄集雛翼下、已幾何時、惟爾不欲、

耶路撒冷乎、耶路撒冷乎、爾殺先知、石擊奉遣就爾者、我屢欲集爾赤子、似母鷄集雛於翼下、惟爾不欲、

耶路撒冷乎、嗟爾殘殺先知、石擊天主星使之耶路撒冷乎！吾之欲集爾子女、如牝雞之覆翼其雛者、不已頻乎？而爾終莫之許也。

“ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

“ Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and throw stones in order to kill those who are sent to you. Many times I have wanted to gather your people together. I have wanted to be like a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. And you would not let me!

“ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

“ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

“ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.

“ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

“ Jerusalem, Jerusalem! She who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,[ thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under[ her] wings, and ye would not!

“ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it!

“ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!

May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.The Lord alone guided them; they followed no foreign gods.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

“ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say,‘ Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

“ I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.“ When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord.They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.

Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.

This is what the Lord says:“ Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply,‘ No, that’s not the road we want!’I posted watchmen over you who said,‘ Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied,‘ No! We won’t pay attention!’

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

“ But despite all this, they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They turned their backs on your Law, they killed your prophets who warned them to return to you, and they committed terrible blasphemies.

When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them.And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called“ Sodom” and“ Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified.

For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity

“ Again and again I sent my servants, the prophets, to plead with them,‘ Don’t do these horrible things that I hate so much.’

When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests,‘ Come, the banquet is ready.’But they all began making excuses. One said,‘ I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’Another said,‘ I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’Another said,‘ I just got married, so I can’t come.’

When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!

Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you,“ Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me.

Then you say,‘ If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.’

He said to them,“ You sent me to the Lord, the God of Israel, with your request, and this is his reply:‘ Stay here in this land. If you do, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you. For I am sorry about all the punishment I have had to bring upon you.Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore,’ says the Lord.‘ For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power.I will be merciful to you by making him kind, so he will let you stay here in your land.’“ But if you refuse to obey the Lord your God, and if you say,‘ We will not stay here;

But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say,‘ We do not want him to be our king.’“ After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were.The first servant reported,‘ Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’“‘ Well done!’ the king exclaimed.‘ You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’“ The next servant reported,‘ Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’“‘ Well done!’ the king said.‘ You will be governor over five cities.’“ But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said,‘ Master, I hid your money and kept it safe.I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’“‘ You wicked servant!’ the king roared.‘ Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant,why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’“ Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered,‘ Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’“‘ But, master,’ they said,‘ he already has ten pounds!’“‘ Yes,’ the king replied,‘ and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king— bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples.As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead.“ Go into that village over there,” he told them.“ As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.If anyone asks,‘ Why are you untying that colt?’ just say,‘ The Lord needs it.’”So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said.And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them,“ Why are you untying that colt?”And the disciples simply replied,“ The Lord needs it.”So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him.When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.“ Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said,“ Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”He replied,“ If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.“ How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”

Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s Temple.That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty— by killing his son. Zechariah’s last words as he died were,“ May the Lord see what they are doing and avenge my death!”

But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.

Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.

For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt,“ Obey me!” I have repeated this warning over and over to this day,but your ancestors did not listen or even pay attention. Instead, they stubbornly followed their own evil desires. And because they refused to obey, I brought upon them all the curses described in this covenant.’”

“ Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me!You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god.For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.“ But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around.

O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts?

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.

“ You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One— the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.

For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me.

“ I have punished your children, but they did not respond to my discipline. You yourselves have killed your prophets as a lion kills its prey.

They took him prisoner and brought him back to King Jehoiakim. The king then killed Uriah with a sword and had him buried in an unmarked grave.

The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple.But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.

Listen to this warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn from you in disgust. Listen, or I will turn you into a heap of ruins, a land where no one lives.”

“ The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,

Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them,‘ This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’

So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty handed.A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.“‘ What will I do?’ the owner asked himself.‘ I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’“ But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other,‘ Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’

But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty handed.The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head.The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed,until there was only one left— his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking,‘ Surely they will respect my son.’

Why was no one there when I came? Why didn’t anyone answer when I called? Is it because I have no power to rescue? No, that is not the reason! For I can speak to the sea and make it dry up! I can turn rivers into deserts covered with dying fish.

But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols.

“ For the past twenty three years— from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until now— the Lord has been giving me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you have not listened.“ Again and again the Lord has sent you his servants, the prophets, but you have not listened or even paid attention.Each time the message was this:‘ Turn from the evil road you are traveling and from the evil things you are doing. Only then will I let you live in this land that the Lord gave to you and your ancestors forever.Do not provoke my anger by worshiping idols you made with your own hands. Then I will not harm you.’“ But you would not listen to me,” says the Lord.“ You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer.

I could see that she was drunk— drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her in complete amazement.