Ezekiel 34:1-10

YAHWEH spoke to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the leaders of Israel; prophesy and say to them, ‘Listen, you leaders, Lord YAHWEH has a message for you: Disaster is in store for the shepherds of Israel whose only concern is to feed themselves. Aren’t shepherds supposed to feed the sheep? Yet you eat the fat, you shear the sheep to make your clothes, you slaughter the fattest sheep for your feasts, but you never feed the flock. You haven’t cared for the weak ones, brought healing to the sick, nor bandaged those who are injured. You haven’t looked for the strays nor brought the lost back to the fold. Instead, you have ruled over them cruelly and treated them harshly. Because there was no shepherd to care for the sheep, they were scattered and were eaten by every wild beast. My flock has wandered aimlessly over every hill and mountain over the face of the earth, and no one went to look for them or tried to find them. “ ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of YAHWEH: As surely as I live, declares Lord YAHWEH—my sheep have become the prey of every wild beast. Since there was no shepherd to protect my sheep, they have been devoured. My shepherds have not searched for my sheep; they have cared for themselves and not the flock. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of YAHWEH: Lord YAHWEH says: Behold, I am against you selfish shepherds! I will hold you accountable for my flock, and I will demand that you return my flock to me. No longer will you feed only yourselves because I will rescue my sheep from your mouths. You will help yourselves to my sheep no longer.’ ”