The Lord’s Plan

⁶ “In that day,” declares the Lord,

¹² As a shepherd^(A) looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.^{(B) 13} I will bring them out from the nations and gather^(C) them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land.^(D) I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.^{(E) 14} I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel^(F) will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture^(G) on the mountains of Israel.^{(H) 15} I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down,^(I) declares the Sovereign Lord.^{(J) 16} I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up^(K) the injured and strengthen the weak,^(L) but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.^(M) I will shepherd the flock with justice.^(N)

¹⁷ “‘As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats.^(O)

¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.^{(A) 13} “Make level paths for your feet,”^[a](B) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.^(C)

¹⁶ I have other sheep^(A) that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock^(B) and one shepherd.^(C)

¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”^(A)

Deliverance Promised

²⁵ “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob^[a](A) and will have compassion^(B) on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name.^{(C) 26} They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety^(D) in their land with no one to make them afraid.^{(E) 27} When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.^{(F) 28} Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them^(G) to their own land, not leaving any behind.^{(H) 29} I will no longer hide my face^(I) from them, for I will pour out my Spirit^(J) on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(K)”