For you were continually strayinglikesheep,but nowyou have returnedto the Shepherdand Guardianof your souls.
Allof us like sheephave goneastray,Eachof us has turnedto his own way;But the LORDhas caused the iniquityof us allTo fallon Him.
"My flockwanderedthrough allthe mountainsand on everyhighhill;My flockwas scatteredoverallthe surfaceof the earth,and therewas nooneto searchor seek[for them]."'"
"Be on guardfor yourselvesand for allthe flock,amongwhichthe HolySpirithas madeyou overseers,to shepherdthe churchof GodwhichHe purchasedwith His ownblood.
Like a shepherdHe will tendHis flock,In His armHe will gatherthe lambsAnd carry[them] in His bosom;He will gently leadthe nursing[ewes].
I have goneastraylike a lostsheep;seekYour servant,For I do not forgetYour commandments.
Seeingthe people,He felt compassionfor them, becausethey were distressedand dispiritedlikesheepwithouta shepherd.
"Whatdo you think?Ifanymanhasa hundredsheep,and oneof them has goneastray,does he not leavethe ninety-nineon the mountainsand goand searchfor the one that is straying?
And when the Chief Shepherdappears,you will receivethe unfadingcrownof glory.
Nowthe Godof peace,who broughtup from the deadthe greatShepherdof the sheepthroughthe bloodof the eternalcovenant,[even] Jesusour Lord,
Thereforethussaysthe LORDGodof Israelconcerningthe shepherdswho are tendingMy people:"You have scatteredMy flockand driventhem away,and have not attendedto them; behold,I am about to attendto you for the evilof your deeds,"declaresthe LORD.
Therefore,holybrethren,partakersof a heavenlycalling,considerJesus,the Apostleand High Priestof our confession;
"My servantDavidwill be kingoverthem, and they will allhaveoneshepherd;and they will walkin My ordinancesand keepMy statutesand observethem.
Oh, giveear,Shepherdof Israel,You who leadJosephlike a flock;You who are enthroned[above] the cherubim,shineforth!
"Awake,O sword,againstMy Shepherd,And againstthe man,My Associate,"Declaresthe LORDof hosts."Strikethe Shepherdthat the sheepmay be scattered;And I will turnMy handagainstthe littleones.
And it will be that like a huntedgazelle,Or like sheepwith noneto gather[them], They will eachturnto his own people,And eachonefleeto his own land.
But He was piercedthroughfor our transgressions,He was crushedfor our iniquities;The chasteningfor our well-being[fell] upon Him, And by His scourgingwe are healed.
he candeal gentlywith the ignorantand misguided,sincehe himselfalsois besetwith weakness;
who oncewere disobedient,whenthe patienceof Godkept waitingin the daysof Noah,during the constructionof the ark,in whicha few,that is, eightpersons,were brought safelythrough[the] water.
