Eze 34:1-10 | HCSB | STEP | The word of the Lord came to me:

Ezekiel 34:1-10

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them: This is what the Lord God says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! ^a Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock? 3 You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened animals, but you do not tend the flock. ^b 4 You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. ^c Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. 5 They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; ^d they became food for all the wild animals ^e when they were scattered. 6 My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. ^f They were scattered over the whole face of the earth, and there was no one searching or seeking for them.

7 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. 8 As I live” – the declaration of the Lord God – “because My flock has become prey and food for every wild animal since they lack a shepherd, for My shepherds do not search for My flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than My flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord!

10 “This is what the Lord God says: Look, I am against the shepherds. ^g I will demand My flock from them ^{▼▼Lit their hand} and prevent them from shepherding the flock. The shepherds will no longer feed themselves, for I will rescue My flock from their mouths so that they will not be food for them.