⁸ All who have come before me^(A) are thieves and robbers,^(B) but the sheep have not listened to them.

² “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?^(A)

²⁵ There is a conspiracy^(A) of her princes^[a] within her like a roaring lion^(B) tearing its prey; they devour people,^(C) take treasures and precious things and make many widows^(D) within her. ²⁶ Her priests do violence to my law^(E) and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common;^(F) they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean;^(G) and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned^(H) among them.^{(I) 27} Her officials^(J) within her are like wolves^(K) tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people^(L) to make unjust gain.^{(M) 28} Her prophets whitewash^(N) these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations.^(O) They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken.^(P)

³⁶ Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.^(A)

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,^(A) and they follow me.^(B)

⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

¹⁶ For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves.