28 Bible Verses about Inadequate Shepherding

Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture! Says Jehovah.

My people have become lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains. They have gone along from mountain to hill and have forgotten their resting place.

The priests did not ask: 'Where is Jehovah? Those who deal with my Law did not know me. The rulers rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied in the name of Baal and followed things that could not help (profit) them.'

Warning! I will allow a shepherd in the land, who will not visit those who are perishing, and will not seek those that are scattered. This shepherd will not heal that which is broken, nor feed that which is hungry. He will eat the flesh of the fat sheep, and will tear their hoofs in pieces. Woe to the worthless shepherd that leaves the flock! The sword will be upon his arm, and upon his right eye. His arm will be withered and dried up, and his right eye will be blind.

They are dogs with mighty appetites. They never have enough! They are shepherds who lack understanding. They all turn to their own way and each one seeks dishonest (unjust) gain.

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy to these shepherds. Tell them: 'The Lord Jehovah says: How horrible it will be for the shepherds of Israel who have been taking care of only themselves. Should shepherds take care of the sheep? You eat the best parts of the sheep, dress in the wool, and butcher the finest sheep. Yet, you do not take care of the sheep. You have not strengthened those that were weak, healed those who were sick, or bandaged those who were injured. You have not brought back those who strayed away or looked for those who were lost. You have ruled them harshly and violently.read more.
They were scattered because there was no shepherd. They became food for every wild animal at the time they were scattered. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered throughout the entire earth. No one searched or looked for them. You shepherds, listen to the word of Jehovah. As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, because there is no shepherd, my sheep have become prey. My sheep have become food for wild animals. My shepherds have not searched for my sheep. They have taken care of only themselves, not my sheep.' You shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah: The Lord Jehovah says: 'I am against the shepherds! I will demand my sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore. I will deliver my flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.'

Many foreign rulers have destroyed my vineyard. They trampled down my fields and turned my beautiful land into a desert.

You shepherds, listen to the word of Jehovah.

You shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah:

Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; your nobles are at rest. Your people are scattered upon the mountains, and there is none to gather them.

And I eliminated the three shepherds in one month. I was tired of them, and they also abhorred me (found me repugnant).

Then I said, 'I will not feed you! If you die go ahead and die. Let those that are left eat each other!

I am angry with the shepherds! I will punish the male goats. Jehovah of Hosts visited his flock, the house of Judah. He will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.

Listen to the wailing of the shepherds! Their glory is destroyed! Listen to the roaring of young lions! The pride of the Jordan is laid waste.

Their owners slay them and claim they are not guilty. They that sell them say: Blessed be Jehovah, for I am rich and their own shepherds do not pity them.

Like a lion coming out of the thick woods along the Jordan River up to the green pastureland, I will come and make the Edomites run away suddenly from their country. Then the leader I choose will rule the nation. Who can be compared to me? Who would dare challenge me? What ruler could oppose me?

I will suddenly chase them from their places like a lion coming out of the jungle along the Jordan River into pastureland. I will appoint over Babylon whomever I choose. Who is like me? Who can challenge me? Is there any leader who can stand up to me?

The shepherds are foolish. They do not look to Jehovah for help. That is why they will not succeed and all their flocks will be scattered.

For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie. They have told false dreams! They comfort in vain. They go their way like sheep. They are afflicted because there is no shepherd. I am angry with the shepherds! I will punish the male goats. Jehovah of Hosts visited his flock, the house of Judah. He will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.

and can command them in battle. Do not allow your congregation to be like sheep without a shepherd.

Micaiah answered: I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. Jehovah said: These men have no leader. Let them go home in peace.

When he saw the large crowds of people, he was moved with compassion for them. He knew they were distressed and scattered like sheep not having a shepherd.

When he arrived and saw the great crowd he had compassion on them. They were as sheep without a shepherd. He taught them many things.

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow (neighbor) (companion), said Jehovah of Hosts: Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered! I will turn my hand upon (against) the little ones.

Jesus said to them: All of you will fall away because of me tonight. It is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Jesus told them: You would all be turned away from me. It is written, I will put the keeper of the sheep to death, and the sheep will be put to flight.

They were scattered because there was no shepherd. They became food for every wild animal at the time they were scattered.

Like sheep, they are laid in the grave. Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule them in the morning. Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes.