1 Peter 5:2:
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve
(NIV)
Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully
(AMP)
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
(KJV)
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Companions, the creator seeks, not corpses, not herds and believers. Fellow creators, the creator seeks -- those who write new values on new tablets. Companions, the creator seeks, and fellow harvesters; for everything about him is ripe for the harvest. ... Fellow creators, Zarathustra seeks, fellow harvesters and fellow celebrants: what are herds and shepherds and corpses to him?
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We are like ignorant shepherds living on a site where great civilizations once flourished. The shepherds play with the fragments that pop up to the surface, having no notion of the beautiful structures of which they were once a part.
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Ephesians 4:11:
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers
(NIV)
And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.
(AMP)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(KJV)
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Acts 20:28:
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
(NIV)
Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood.
(AMP)
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
(KJV)
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And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord for thee, power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. We shall flow a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
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And Shepherds we shall be, for Thee, my Lord, for Thee, power hath descended forth fromThy hand that our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command. So we shall flow a river forth to thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomine Patri et Fili Spiritu Sancte.
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Luke 2:8:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
(NIV)
And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night.
(AMP)
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
(KJV)
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Governments need to have both shepherds and butchers.
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John: How come I'm not afraid? D'Argo: Fear accompanies the possibility of death. Calm shepherds its certainty. John: I love hanging with you, man.
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