² In the past, when Saul ruled over us, you were the one who led Israel out to war and back. What’s more, the Lord told you, You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be Israel’s leader.

¹⁵ I will appoint shepherds with whom I’m pleased, and they will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

The good shepherd

34 The Lord’s word came to me: ² Human one, prophesy against Israel’s shepherds. Prophesy and say to them, The Lord God proclaims to the shepherds: Doom to Israel’s shepherds who tended themselves! Shouldn’t shepherds tend the flock? ³ You drink the milk, you wear the wool, and you slaughter the fat animals, but you don’t tend the flock. ⁴ You don’t strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strays, or seek out the lost; but instead you use force to rule them with injustice. ⁵ Without a shepherd, my flock was scattered; and when it was scattered, it became food for all the wild animals. ⁶ My flock strayed on all the mountains and on every high hill throughout all the earth. My flock was scattered, and there was no one to look for them or find them. ⁷ So now shepherds, hear the Lord’s word! ⁸ This is what the Lord God says: As surely as I live, without a shepherd, my flock became prey. My flock became food for all the wild animals. My shepherds didn’t seek out my flock. They tended themselves, but they didn’t tend my flock.

⁹ So, shepherds, hear the Lord’s word! ¹⁰ The Lord God proclaims: I’m against the shepherds! I will hold them accountable for my flock, and I will put an end to their tending the flock. The shepherds will no longer tend them, because I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and they will no longer be their food.

Call to arms; the future is secure