The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Ezekiel 34

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Nevi'im — the Prophets

Ezekiel chapter 34 — part of the Nevi'im — the Prophets in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “And the word of HaShem came unto me, saying:” — the complete text of all 31 verses is below, free to read online.

1And the word of HaShem came unto me, saying:

2'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds: Thus saith the L-rd GOD: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that have fed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep?

3Ye did eat the fat, and ye clothed you with the wool, ye killed the fatlings; but ye fed not the sheep.

4The weak have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force have ye ruled over them and with rigour.

5So were they scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.

6My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill, yea, upon all the face of the earth were My sheep scattered, and there was none that did search or seek.

7Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of HaShem:

8As I live, saith the L-rd GOD, surely forasmuch as My sheep became a prey, and My sheep became food to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My sheep;

9therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of HaShem:

10Thus saith the L-rd GOD: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require My sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; and I will deliver My sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.

11For thus saith the L-rd GOD: Behold, here am I, and I will search for My sheep, and seek them out.

12As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are separated, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the day of clouds and thick darkness.

13And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the habitable places of the country.

14I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lie down in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

15I will feed My sheep, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the L-rd GOD.

16I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; and the fat and the strong I will destroy, I will feed them in justice.

17And as for you, O My flock, thus saith the L-rd GOD: Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, even the rams and the he-goats.

18Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have fed upon the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? and to have drunk of the settled waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

19And as for My sheep, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.

20Therefore thus saith the L-rd GOD unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and the lean cattle.

21Because ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the weak with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;

22therefore will I save My flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.

23And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even My servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

24And I HaShem will be their G-d, and My servant David prince among them; I HaShem have spoken.

25And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.

26And I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in its season; there shall be showers of blessing.

27And the tree of the field shall yield its fruit, and the earth shall yield her produce, and they shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am HaShem, when I have broken the bars of their yoke, and have delivered them out of the hand of those that made bondmen of them.

28And they shall no more be a prey to the nations, neither shall the beast of the earth devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.

29And I will raise up unto them a plantation for renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the nations any more.

30And they shall know that I HaShem their G-d am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people, saith the L-rd GOD.

31And ye My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, are men, and I am your G-d, saith the L-rd GOD.'

31 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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