There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;

These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."