The Lord Is the Good Shepherd

¹¹ The Lord God then said:

I will look for my sheep and take care of them myself, ¹² just as a shepherd looks for lost sheep. My sheep have been lost since that dark and miserable day when they were scattered throughout the nations.^[a] But I will rescue them ¹³ and bring them back from the foreign nations where they now live. I will be their shepherd and will let them graze on Israel's mountains and in the valleys and fertile fields. ¹⁴ They will be safe as they feed on grassy meadows and green hills. ¹⁵ I promise to take care of them and keep them safe, ¹⁶ to look for those that are lost and bring back the ones that wander off, to bandage those that are hurt and protect the ones that are weak. I will also slaughter^[b] those that are fat and strong, because I always do right.

²⁰ So I, the Lord God, will separate you strong sheep from the weak. ²¹ You strong ones have used your powerful horns to chase off those that are weak, ²² but I will rescue them and no longer let them be mistreated. I will separate the good from the bad.

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