⁸ As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered^(A) and has become food for all the wild animals,^(B) and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock,^(C)

¹³ They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight.^(A) They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.^[a](B)

¹² These people are blemishes at your love feasts,^(A) eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves.^(B) They are clouds without rain,^(C) blown along by the wind;^(D) autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted^(E)—twice dead.

¹⁵ But I have not used any of these rights.^(A) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.^(B)

³³ I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.^(A)

³¹ You are my sheep,^(A) the sheep of my pasture,^(B) and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

¹⁸ Is it not enough^(A) for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet?^(B) Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

¹⁰ This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against^(A) the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue^(B) my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.^(C)

⁵ So they were scattered because there was no shepherd,^(A) and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.^{(B) 6} My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill.^(C) They were scattered^(D) over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.^(E)