Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A psalm for giving grateful praise.

¹⁷ The Lord and King says, “You are my flock. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will judge between rams and goats. ¹⁸ You already eat in the best grasslands. Must you also stomp all over the other fields? You already drink clear water. Must you also make the rest of the water muddy with your feet? ¹⁹ Must my flock have to eat the grass you have stomped on? Must they drink the water you have made muddy?”

²⁰ So the Lord and King speaks to them. He says, “I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the skinny sheep. ²¹ You push the other sheep around with your hips and shoulders. You use your horns to butt all the weak sheep. Finally, you drive them away. ²² But I will save my sheep. They will not be carried off anymore. I will judge between one sheep and another. ²³ I will place one shepherd over them. He will belong to the family line of my servant David. He will take good care of them. He will look after them. He will be their shepherd.

To Older and Younger Believers

5 I’m speaking to the elders among you. I was a witness of Christ’s sufferings. And I will also share in the glory that is going to come. I’m making my appeal to you as one who is an elder together with you. ² Be shepherds of God’s flock, the believers under your care. Watch over them, though not because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t do it because you want to get money in dishonest ways. Do it because you really want to serve. ³ Don’t act as if you were a ruler over those under your care. Instead, be examples to the flock. ⁴ The Chief Shepherd will come again. Then you will receive the crown of glory. It is a crown that will never fade away.

⁵ In the same way, I’m speaking to you who are younger. Follow the lead of those who are older. All of you, put on a spirit free of pride toward one another. Put it on as if it were your clothes. Do this because Scripture says,