11 So the master Yahweh says this: Listen, I myself will search for those lost from my flock, and I myself will look after them, 12 like a shepherd searches for his sheep when he’s among his scattered flock. So I’ll look for my flock and I’ll rescue them from all the places where they were scattered during the dark times. 13 I’ll bring my people out from among the nations. I’ll gather them from foreign lands and bring them back to their land. I’ll put them in pastures on Yisrael’s (Israel’s) mountainsides, by the streams, and in every settlement in the land. 14 I’ll put them in good pastures—Yisrael’s high mountains will be their grazing places. They’ll lie down there in places good for grazing, in abundant pastures, and they’ll graze on Yisrael’s hills. 15 I myself will shepherd my flock, and I myself will give them rest. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.

16 I’ll search out the lost and restore the outcast. I’ll bandage up those who are broken and heal those who are sick, but I’ll destroy those who are fat and well. I will shepherd with justice.

17 So now this is what the master Yahweh says, You, my flock, listen, I’ll be a judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and billy goats. 18 Isn’t it enough to feed on the good pasture? Do you have to trample down any remaining grass? Or drink from clear waters, then muddy the streams with your feet? 19 Must my flock eat what you’ve trampled and drink what you’ve muddied with your feet?

20 Therefore the master Yahweh says this to them: Listen, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the thin ones, 21 because you shepherds have pushed them with your sides and shoulders, and you’ve gored all the weak ones with your horns until you succeeded in scattering them away from the land. 22 I’ll save my flock and they’ll no longer be taken as plunder, and I’ll judge between one sheep and the next. 23 I’ll set one shepherd over them—my servant David. He’ll look after them, and he’ll be their shepherd.[ref] 24 Then I, Yahweh, will be their god, and my servant David will be a leader among them.[ref] I, Yahweh, have declared that.

25 Then I’ll make a peace treaty with them and remove the wild animals from the land, so that they’ll be able to live securely in the wilderness and sleep safely in the forests.

26 I’ll also bless both them and the places around my hill, and send out showers in the right season—they’ll be showers of blessing. 27 Then the trees in the countryside will produce their fruit, the soil will yield its produce, and my sheep will be secure in their land. When I break off the ties holding the yoke onto their necks, and when I rescue them from the control of those who enslaved them, then they’ll know that I am Yahweh. 28 They’ll no longer be plunder for the other nations, and the wild animals on the land will no longer devour them. Then they’ll live securely, and no one will make them afraid. 29 I’ll provide a land for them that’s known for its crops, so they won’t be victims of famine, and they won’t be mocked by other nations. 30 Then they’ll know that I, Yahweh their god, am with them. The Israeli people are my people. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.

31 You are my sheep, the flock of my pasture, and my people, and I am your god. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.’ ”