Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

(A psalm of praise.)

The Lord Is God

Judgment on the Strong Sheep

¹⁷ The Lord God said to his sheep, the people of Israel:

I will carefully watch each one of you to decide which ones are the strong sheep and which ones are weak. ¹⁸ Some of you eat the greenest grass, then trample down what's left when you finish. Others drink clean water, then step in the water to make the rest of it muddy. ¹⁹ That means my other sheep have nothing fit to eat or drink.

²⁰ So I, the Lord God, will separate you strong sheep from the weak. ²¹ You strong ones have used your powerful horns to chase off those that are weak, ²² but I will rescue them and no longer let them be mistreated. I will separate the good from the bad.

^23 (A) After that, I will give you a shepherd from the family of my servant King David. All of you, both strong and weak, will have the same shepherd, and he will take good care of you.

Helping Christian Leaders

5 Church leaders, I am writing to encourage you. I too am a leader, as well as a witness to Christ's suffering, and I will share in his glory when it is shown to us.

^2 (A) Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. ³ Don't be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them. ⁴ Then when Christ the Chief Shepherd returns, you will be given a crown that will never lose its glory.

^5 (B) All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say,