16. "I will search for the lost. I will bring back those that have wandered away. I will bandage the ones that are hurt. I will make the weak ones stronger. But I will destroy those that are fat and strong. I will take good care of my sheep. I will treat them fairly."
17. The Lord and King says, "You are my flock. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will judge between rams and goats.
18. You already eat in the best grasslands. Must you also stomp all over the other fields? You already drink clear water. Must you also make the rest of the water muddy with your feet?
19. Must my flock have to eat the grass you have stomped on? Must they drink the water you have made muddy?"
20. So the Lord and King speaks to them. He says, "I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the skinny sheep.
21. You push the other sheep around with your hips and shoulders. You use your horns to butt all of the weak sheep. Finally, you drive them away.
22. But I will save my sheep. They will not be carried off anymore. I will judge between one sheep and another.
23. "I will place one shepherd over them. He will belong to the family line of my servant David. He will take good care of them. He will look after them. He will be their shepherd.
24. I am the Lord. I will be their God. And my servant from David's line will be prince among them. I have spoken. I am the Lord.
25. "I will make a covenant with them. It promises to give them peace. I will get rid of the wild animals in the land. Then my sheep can live safely in the desert. They can sleep in the forests.