Ezekiel 34:2-10 ▼

2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them—to the shepherds—thus says the Lord YHWH: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves. Should it not be that the shepherds shepherd the flock?

3 You⁺ eat the fat and in wool you⁺ clothe yourselves; you⁺ slaughter the fatlings; you⁺ do not feed the flock.

4 Those being weak you⁺ have not strengthened, and those being sick you⁺ have not healed, and those being broken you⁺ have not bandaged, and those driven off you⁺ have not returned, and those being lost you⁺ have not sought, and you⁺ have ruled them with force and with harshness.

5 And they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became as food for all the beasts of the field; indeed, they were scattered.

6 My flock went astray through all the mountains, and on every high hill; and My flock was scattered over all the face of the earth, and there was not one searching or seeking them.’

7 Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of YHWH!

8 ‘As I live—a declaration of the Lord YHWH—surely because My flock became as prey, and My flock became as food for every beast of the field, for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, and the shepherds shepherded themselves, and My flock they did not feed.

9 Therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of YHWH:

10 Thus says the Lord YHWH, ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock from their hands, and I will make them cease from shepherding the sheep, and the shepherds no longer will shepherd themselves; for I will snatch My flock from their mouths, and they will not be for them as food.’