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1The Lord God said:[#Jr 23.1-6; Jn 10.14-16.]
2Ezekiel, son of man, Israel's leaders are like shepherds taking care of my sheep, the people of Israel. But I want you to condemn these leaders and tell them:
11The Lord God then said:
I will look for my sheep and take care of them myself,
12just as a shepherd looks for lost sheep. My sheep have been lost since that dark and miserable day when they were scattered throughout the nations. But I will rescue them[#34.12 That is, the day the Babylonians defeated Jerusalem and led its people away as prisoners.]
13and bring them back from the foreign nations where they now live. I will be their shepherd and will let them graze on Israel's mountains and in the valleys and fertile fields.
14They will be safe as they feed on grassy meadows and green hills.
15I promise to take care of them and keep them safe,
16to look for those that are lost and bring back the ones that wander off, to bandage those that are hurt and protect the ones that are weak. I will also slaughter those that are fat and strong, because I always do right.[#34.16 Hebrew; three ancient translations “take care of.”]
17The 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.
18Some 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.
19That means my other sheep have nothing fit to eat or drink.
20So I, the Lord God, will separate you strong sheep from the weak.
21You strong ones have used your powerful horns to chase off those that are weak,
22but I will rescue them and no longer let them be mistreated. I will separate the good from the bad.
23After 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.[#Rev 7.17.]
24He will be your leader, and I will be your God. I, the Lord , have spoken.[#Ez 37.24,25.]
25The people of Israel are my sheep, and I solemnly promise that they will live in peace. I will chase away every wild animal from the desert and the forest, so my sheep will not be afraid.
26They will live around my holy mountain, and I will bless them by sending more than enough rain[#34.26 That is, Mount Zion in Jerusalem.]
27to make their trees produce fruit and their crops to grow. I will set them free from slavery and let them live safely in their own land. Then they will know that I am the Lord .
28Foreign nations will never again rob them, and wild animals will no longer kill and eat them. They will have nothing to fear.
29I will make their fields produce large amounts of crops, so they will never again go hungry or be laughed at by foreigners.
30Then everyone will know that I protect my people Israel. I, the Lord , make this promise.
31They are my sheep; I am their God, and I take care of them.