The cities that are now in ruins will then be as full of people as Jerusalem was once full of the sheep which were offered as sacrifices at a festival. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Then he led his people out like a shepherd and guided them through the desert.

Listen to us, O Shepherd of Israel; hear us, leader of your flock. Seated on your throne above the winged creatures,

He is our God; we are the people he cares for, the flock for which he provides. Listen today to what he says:

Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock.

He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.

Be a shepherd to your people, LORD, the people you have chosen. Although they live apart in the wilderness, there is fertile land around them. Let them go and feed in the rich pastures of Bashan and Gilead, as they did long ago.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.

"I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep.

There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

but you will not believe, for you are not my sheep.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me.

The Father and I are one."

"Woman, why are you crying?" Jesus asked her. "Who is it that you are looking for?" She thought he was the gardener, so she said to him, "If you took him away, sir, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him."

"Do not hold on to me," Jesus told her, "because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God."

So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son.

to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve.

Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock.