² Previously, when Saul was king over us, ^(A)you were the one who led Israel ^[a]out and in. And the Lord said to you, ‘^(B)You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ^(C)a leader over Israel.’”

⁶ In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word ^(A)with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’

The Coming Messiah: the Righteous Branch

23 “^(A)Woe to the shepherds who are causing the ^(B)sheep of My pasture to ^(C)perish and are scattering them!” declares the Lord. ² Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says concerning the shepherds who are ^[a]tending My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not been concerned about them; behold, I am going to ^(D)call you to account for the ^(E)evil of your deeds,” declares the Lord. ³ “Then I Myself will ^(F)gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. ⁴ I will also raise up ^(G)shepherds over them and they will ^[b]tend them; and they will ^(H)not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, ^(I)nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.