1And this word of the LORD came to me,
2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds (spiritual leaders) of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Sovereign LORD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel that only feed themselves! Should the shepherds not feed their flocks?
3You drink the milk and eat the curds, and you clothe yourselves with their wool, you slaughter and butcher the choice sheep; but you do not care for the flock.
4You have not healed those that are sick or diseased, nor have you bound up that which was broken, nor have you gone out and brought back any that were driven away, nor have you sought those that are lost or scattered; but, instead, with force and cruelty, you have ruled them.
5And they were scattered, because there is no caring shepherd; and became prey to all the beasts of the field.
6My sheep wandered all over the mountains, and every high hill; My flock was scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or sought after them.
7Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:
8“As surely as I live”, says the LORD God, “surely because My flock had no shepherd and became easy prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no diligent shepherd, that searched for My flock, but only self-serving shepherds that fed themselves, and not My flock;
9Therefore, O you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD.
10Thus says the LORD God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will hold them accountable for My flock, and will remove them from tending the flock; nor shall these shepherds feed themselves anymore; for I will rescue My flock from them, that they may not be food for them.
11For thus says the Sovereign LORD: “Behold, I, even I, will both search for My sheep, and seek them.
12As a shepherd looks after his flock when he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the storms and darkness.
13And I will bring them out from the nations, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the settlements of the land.
14I will tend them in a good pasture, and upon the mountain heights of Israel shall their fold be; there they shall lie in a good fold, and in a rich pasture they shall feed upon the mountains of Israel.
15I, Myself, will feed My flock, and I will cause them to lie down, says the LORD God.
16I will seek that which was lost, and bring back those that were driven away, and will bind up those that are injured, and will strengthen those that are weak or sick; but I will destroy the fat and powerful; I will feed them with justice.
17And as for you, O My flock, thus says the LORD God: “Behold, I will judge between cattle and cattle (one sheep and another), between the rams and the goats.
18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?
19Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet?
20Therefore, thus says the Sovereign LORD to them: “Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat and the lean cattle.
21Because you have shoved with flank and shoulder, and butted all the weak with your horns, till you have driven them away,
22Therefore will I save My flock, and they shall no more be preyed upon; and I will judge between one sheep and another.
23And I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them, even My servant David; He shall feed them, and He shall be their shepherd.
24And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant, David, will be a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken it.
25And I will make a covenant of peace with them, and will rid the evil beasts from the land; and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep safely in the forest.
26And I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing; and I will cause the showers to come down in season; there shall be showers of blessing.
27And the trees shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase (crops), and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bars of their yoke, and rescued them from those who enslaved them.
28And they shall no more be plundered by other nations, nor shall the beast of the land prey upon them, but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.
29And I will make their land famous for its abundant crops, and they shall no more be victims of famine in the land, nor bear the scorn of the nations any more.
30Then they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and that they, the people of Israel, are My people”, says the LORD God.
31“And you, My flock, the flock of My pasture, are My people, and I am your God, says the Sovereign LORD.” Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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