Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves rather than their flock. They devour the rich pasture but leave the commoners to starve.

"You shepherds have not strengthened those who were weak, nor healed the sick, nor bound up the broken, nor searched for those who were lost. Instead, you ruled over them with force and cruelty. As a result, they scattered because there was no shepherd to care for them, and they became prey to all the wild animals of the field.

"My sheep wandered through all the mountains and upon every high hill; they were scattered across the entire earth, with no one searching or seeking after them. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: I am against you, and I will hold you accountable for my sheep who have been preyed upon by every wild animal because there was no shepherd to care for them.

"As I live, says the Lord God, my flock has become prey and food for every wild beast because there was no shepherd to search for them, but instead, the shepherds fed themselves while neglecting my flock. Therefore, O you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: I will hold you accountable for my flock, and they will no longer feed themselves by exploiting it.

"I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out on that dark and cloudy day when I judge between the fat and lean cattle. As I seek out my scattered flock, so will I deliver them from all places where they have been scattered. I will bring them out from among the peoples and gather them from the countries to their own land.

"There, I will feed them in a lush pasture on Israel's high mountains, where they will lie safely and feed on rich pastures. I will cause my flock to lie down in peaceful rest, says the Lord God. I will seek out those who have wandered away, bring back those who have been driven off, bind up those who are broken, and strengthen those who are weak.

"But I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them with judgment. I judge between cattle and cattle, between rams and he-goats. You have devoured the good pasture but left what was left to rot under your feet, and you have drunk from the deep waters while fouling the remaining water with your feet.

"My flock will eat what you have trampled underfoot, and drink from the waters that your feet have polluted. I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because you have thrust them aside with your horns and scattered them abroad, I will save my flock and they shall no longer be preyed upon.

"I will set up one shepherd over them, my servant David, who will feed and care for them. I will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken it. And I will establish with them a covenant of peace, causing the ferocious beasts to cease from the land.

"They may dwell securely in the wilderness and rest safely in the woods, knowing that I am the Lord when I have freed them from the yoke of their oppressors. The land will yield its crops, and the trees of the field will bear fruit, and those who were oppressed will be safe in their own land, knowing that I am the Lord.

"And they shall no longer be prey to the nations nor devoured by any wild beast of the land; instead, they will dwell securely and none shall cause them alarm. I will establish among them a renowned and enduring presence, so they will no longer be consumed by hunger in the land nor bear the shame of the nations.

"Thus they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, including the house of Israel, are my people, says the Lord GOD. You, my flock, are men, and I am your God, says the Lord GOD."