Portions: Ezekiel 17 - 19

"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
I Myself will take a shoot
from the very top of a cedar and plant it;
I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.
On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it;
it will produce branches and bear fruit
and become a splendid cedar.
Birds of every kind will nest in it;
they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.
All the trees of the field will know
that I the Lord bring down the tall tree
and make the low tree grow tall.
I dry up the green tree
and make the dry tree flourish.
"'I the Lord have spoken,
and I will do it.'"
(Ezekiel 17:22-24)

Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?
declares the Sovereign Lord.
Rather, am I not pleased
when they turn from their ways and live?
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone,
declares the Sovereign Lord.
Repent and live!
(Ezekiel 18:23,32)

Take up a lament concerning the princes of Israel . . .
(Ezekiel 19:1)