Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A psalm of thanksgiving.

¹⁷ “ ‘As for you, my sheep, this is what the Almighty Lord says: I will judge disputes between one sheep and another, between rams and male goats. ¹⁸ Isn’t it enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? You drink clean water. Must you muddy the rest of the water with your feet? ¹⁹ Must my sheep eat what your feet have trampled and drink what your feet have muddied?

²⁰ “ ‘So this is what the Almighty Lord says to them: I will judge disputes between the fat sheep and the skinny sheep. ²¹ You fat sheep push the skinny sheep with your sides and shoulders, and you knock down all the sick sheep with your horns. You have scattered them all over. ²² So I will rescue my sheep, and they will no longer be prey. I will judge between one sheep and another. ²³ Then I will place one shepherd over them, my servant David, and he will take care of them. He will take care of them and be their shepherd.

Instructions for Spiritual Leaders

5 I appeal to your spiritual leaders.^[a] I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ’s sufferings and will share in the glory that will be revealed. ² Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don’t do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don’t do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve. ³ Don’t be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow. ⁴ Then, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Instructions for Christians

⁵ Young people, in a similar way, place yourselves under the authority of spiritual leaders.

Furthermore, all of you must serve each other with humility, because God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble.