8. In one month I got rid of three shepherds. The flock hated me, and I got impatient with them.
9. I said, “I will no longer take care of you like a shepherd. Let those that are dying die. Let those that are to be destroyed be destroyed. Let those that are left eat each other.”
10. Then I broke the stick named Favor. This broke the agreement God made with his people.
11. That day it was broken. Those weak sheep were watching me. They knew this message was from the Lord.
12. Then I said, “If you want to pay me, then pay me. If not, then don’t.” So they paid me 30 pieces of silver.
13. The Lord said to me, “Throw the money to the potter.” That is how little they thought I was worth. So I threw the money to the potter in the Temple of the Lord.
14. Then I broke the second stick named Union. This broke the tie between Judah and Israel.
15. Then the Lord said to me, “Become a foolish shepherd again.
16. I am going to get a new shepherd for the country. He will not care for the dying sheep. He will not look for the young ones. He will not heal the injured ones. He will not feed the healthy. But he will eat the best sheep and tear off their hooves.
17. “How terrible it will be for the useless shepherd.He abandoned the flock.May war destroy his power and wisdom.May his power become useless.May his wisdom be taken away.”