Then said the officers of the captors, " These men are men of death; they refuse to obey the order of the king; let them die.". But forth stepped Pelatya, the son of Yehoyadah, and thus he addressed Nebuchadnezzar: —. 2,62 PROVERBIAL SAYINGS. " Behold, if a flock is delivered into the hands of a shepherd, and a wolf steals a lamb from the flock, tell me, who is responsible to the owner of the lost animal. "Surely the shepherd, replied Nebuchadnezzar. "Then listen to thine own words, replied Pelatya. God has given Israel into thy hands; to Him art thou responsible for those who are slain. ". The king ordered the chains to be removed from the captives, and they were not put to death. Through Kamtzah and Bar Kamtzah was Jerusalem destroyed; and thus it happened.