¹⁵ Then I will give you shepherds^(A) after my own heart,^(B) who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

⁴ I will place shepherds^(A) over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid^(B) or terrified, nor will any be missing,^(C)” declares the Lord.

²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock^(A) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.^(B) Be shepherds of the church of God,^[a](C) which he bought^(D) with his own blood.^[b](E)

¹¹ So Christ himself gave^(A) the apostles,^(B) the prophets,^(C) the evangelists,^(D) the pastors and teachers,^{(E) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(F) may be built up^(G)

²³ I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend^(A) them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.^(B)

Jesus Reinstates Peter

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”^(A)

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”^(B)

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”^(C)

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”^(D) He said, “Lord, you know all things;^(E) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.^(F)

The Church and Its Leaders

3 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit^(A) but as people who are still worldly^(B)—mere infants^(C) in Christ. ² I gave you milk, not solid food,^(D) for you were not yet ready for it.^(E) Indeed, you are still not ready.

²⁴ “‘My servant David^(A) will be king^(B) over them, and they will all have one shepherd.^(C) They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.^(D)

²⁰ Although the Lord gives you the bread^(A) of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers^(B) will be hidden^(C) no more; with your own eyes you will see them. ²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice^(D) behind you, saying, “This is the way;^(E) walk in it.”