Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A Hymn of Praise^[a]

¹⁷ “Now then, my flock, I, the Sovereign Lord, tell you that I will judge each of you and separate the good from the bad, the sheep from the goats. ¹⁸ Some of you are not satisfied with eating the best grass; you even trample down what you don't eat! You drink the clear water and muddy what you don't drink! ¹⁹ My other sheep have to eat the grass you trample down and drink the water you muddy.

²⁰ “So now, I, the Sovereign Lord, tell you that I will judge between you strong sheep and the weak sheep. ²¹ You pushed the sick ones aside and butted them away from the flock. ²² But I will rescue my sheep and not let them be mistreated any more. I will judge each of my sheep and separate the good from the bad. ^23 (A)I will give them a king like my servant David to be their one shepherd, and he will take care of them.

The Flock of God

5 I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ's sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to you ^2 (A)to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. ³ Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious crown which will never lose its brightness.

^5 (B)In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”