First ReadingEzekiel 34:1-11
From the Book of Ezekiel
1The Lord’s word came to me, saying,2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel.Prophesy, and tell them,even the shepherds,‘The Lord GOD says:“Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves!Shouldn’t the shepherds feed the sheep?3You eat the fat.You clothe yourself with the wool.You kill the fatlings, but you don’t feed the sheep.4You haven’t strengthened the diseased.You haven’t healed that which was sick.You haven’t bound up that which was broken.You haven’t brought back that which was driven away.You haven’t sought that which was lost,but you have ruled over them with force and with rigor.5They were scattered, because there was no shepherd.They became food to all the animals of the field,and were scattered.6My sheep wandered through all the mountainsand on every high hill.Yes, my sheep were scattered on all the surface of the earth.There was no one who searched or sought.”
7“‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the Lord’s word:8“As I live,” says the Lord GOD,“surely because my sheep became a prey,and my sheep became food to all the animals of the field,because there was no shepherd,and my shepherds didn’t search for my sheep,but the shepherds fed themselves,and didn’t feed my sheep,9therefore, you shepherds, hear the Lord’s word!”10The Lord GOD says:“Behold, I am against the shepherds.I will require my sheep at their hand,and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep.The shepherds won’t feed themselves any more.I will deliver my sheep from their mouth,that they may not be food for them.”
11“‘For the Lord GOD says:“Behold, I myself,even I, will search for my sheep,and will seek them out.