Israel's Leaders Are Worthless Shepherds

34 ^(A) The Lord God said:

² Ezekiel, son of man, Israel's leaders are like shepherds taking care of my sheep, the people of Israel. But I want you to condemn these leaders and tell them:

I, the Lord God, say you shepherds of Israel are doomed! You take care of yourselves while ignoring my sheep. ³ You drink their milk and use their wool to make your clothes. Then you butcher the best ones for food. But you don't take care of the flock! ⁴ You have never protected the weak ones or healed the sick ones or bandaged those that get hurt. You let them wander off and never look for those that get lost. You are cruel and mean to my sheep. ^5 (B) They strayed in every direction, and because there was no shepherd to watch them, they were attacked and eaten by wild animals. ⁶ So my sheep were scattered across the earth. They roamed on hills and mountains, without anyone even bothering to look for them.

^23 (A) After that, I will give you a shepherd from the family of my servant King David. All of you, both strong and weak, will have the same shepherd, and he will take good care of you.

^24 (A) He will be your leader, and I will be your God. I, the Lord, have spoken.

^14 (A) I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. ^15 (B) Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must also bring them together, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.