Ezekiel 34:16-27

New International Version

¹⁶ I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up^(A) the injured and strengthen the weak,^(B) but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.^(C) I will shepherd the flock with justice.^(D)

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.^{(E) 18} Is it not enough^(F) for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet?^(G) Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? ¹⁹ Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet?

²⁰ “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.^{(H) 21} Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns^(I) until you have driven them away, ²² I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.^{(J) 23} I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend^(K) them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.^{(L) 24} I the Lord will be their God,^(M) and my servant David^(N) will be prince among them.^(O) I the Lord have spoken.^(P)

²⁵ “‘I will make a covenant^(Q) of peace^(R) with them and rid the land of savage beasts^(S) so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety.^{(T) 26} I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing.^[a](U) I will send down showers in season;^(V) there will be showers of blessing.^{(W) 27} The trees will yield their fruit^(X) and the ground will yield its crops;^(Y) the people will be secure^(Z) in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke^(AA) and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.^(AB)