The Good Shepherd
The Lord GOD declares that He Himself will search for His flock like a shepherd gathering sheep scattered on a dark and stormy day. He will rescue them from the peoples, bring them into their own land, pasture them well on Israel's mountains, and give them rest. He will seek the lost, bring back strays, bind up the injured, strengthen the weak, and shepherd with justice.
F11or this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. 12As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. 13I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. 14I will feed them in good pasture, and the lofty mountains of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. 16I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
The LORD then says He will judge between sheep, confronting the strong who trample pasture, muddy water, and shove the weak aside. He will save His flock from being prey and judge between one sheep and another. Over them He will set one shepherd, His servant David, who will feed them, while the LORD Himself will be their God and David their prince.
17This is what the Lord GOD says to you, My flock: ‘I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the goats. 18Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’ 20Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21Since you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak ones with your horns until you have scattered them abroad, 22I will save My flock, and they will no longer be prey. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd. 24I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be a prince among them. I, the LORD, have spoken.