## The Word of Yahweh came to me and said ##

See how you translated this in [Ezekiel 3:16](../03/16.md).

## the shepherd of Israel ##

This phrase compares the leaders of Israel that are supposed to take care of their people with shepherds who are supposed to take care of their flock. AT: "the leaders of Israel who are like shepherds. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## prophesy and say ##

See how you translated this in [Ezekiel 21:8](../21/08.md).

## Thus says the Lord Yahweh ##

See how you translated this in [Ezekiel 3:10](../03/10.md).

## are shepherding themselves ##

AT "are feeding and taking care of themselves."

## Should not shepherds guard the flock? ##

"Should not shepherds feed and take care of the flock." Yahweh uses this question to scold the leaders for not taking care of the people. AT: "Shepherds should feed the flock and take care of it." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

## You eat the fatty portions ##

It is implied that the fatty portions come from the sheep and the goats. AT: "You eat the fatty parts of the sheep and goats" or "You eat the best parts of the sheep and goats." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

## dress in wool ##

"wear the wool from the sheep"

## You slaughter the fatlings of the flock ##

AT: "You kill the fatlings of the flock so that you can eat them"

## the fatlings ##

"the healthiest sheep and goats" or "the fattest sheep and goats"

## do not shepherd at all ##

"do not feed and take care of the flock"