9. Then I said, “I refuse to be your shepherd. Let the sheep that are going to die, go on and die, and those that are going to be destroyed, go on and be destroyed. Then let the others eat one another alive.”
10. On that same day, I broke the stick named “Mercy” to show that the Lord had cancelled his agreement with all people.
11. The sheep dealers who saw me knew straight away that this was a message from the Lord.
14. Then I broke the stick named “Unity” and cancelled the ties between Judah and Israel.
15. Next, the Lord said to me, “Act like a shepherd again—this time a worthless shepherd.
16. Once more I am going to let a worthless nobody rule the land—one who won't care for the strays or search for the young or heal the sick or feed the healthy. He will just dine on the fattest sheep, leaving nothing but a few bones.”
17. You worthless shepherd,deserting the sheep!I hope a swordwill cripple your armand blind your right eye.