7So I cared for the flock intended for slaughter—the flock that was oppressed. Then I took two shepherd’s staffs and named one Favor and the other Union.

8I got rid of their three evil shepherds in a single month.

9So I told them, “I won’t be your shepherd any longer. If you die, you die. If you are killed, you are killed. And let those who remain devour each other!”

10Then I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, showing that I had revoked the covenant I had made with all the nations.

11That was the end of my covenant with them. The suffering flock was watching me, and they knew that the Lord was speaking through my actions.

12And I said to them, “If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to.” So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.

13And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter11:13 Syriac version reads into the treasury; also in 11:13b. Compare Matt 27:6-10.”—this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord.

14Then I took my other staff, Union, and cut it in two, showing that the bond of unity between Judah and Israel was broken.

15Then the Lord said to me, “Go again and play the part of a worthless shepherd.

16This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves.