A Prophecy Against Israel’s Shepherds

34 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ² Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? ³ You eat the fat and clothe yourself with the wool; you kill those who are fed without feeding the flock. ⁴ The diseased you have not strengthened, nor have you healed that which was sick, nor have you bound up that which was broken, nor have you brought back that which was driven away, nor have you sought that which was lost. But with force and with cruelty you have subjugated them. ⁵ They were scattered because there was no shepherd. And they became meat to all the beasts of the field and were scattered. ⁶ My sheep wandered through all the mountains and upon every high hill. Indeed, My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and no one searched or sought after them.

⁷ Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ⁸ As I live, says the Lord God, surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock even became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock; but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock, ⁹ therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. ¹⁰ Thus says the Lord God: I am against the shepherds. And I will require My flock from their hand and cause them to cease from feeding the flock. Nor shall the shepherds feed themselves anymore, for I will deliver My flock from their mouth so that they may not be meat for them.