¹¹ “I am^(A) the good shepherd.^(B) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.^{(C) 12} The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.^(D) Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd;^(E) I know my sheep^(F) and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father^(G)—and I lay down my life for the sheep.^{(H) 16} I have other sheep^(I) that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock^(J) and one shepherd.^{(K) 17} The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life^(L)—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.^(M) I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”^(N)

²⁴ The Jews^(A) who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”^(B)

²⁵ Jesus answered, “I did tell you,^(C) but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,^{(D) 26} but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.^{(E) 27} My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,^(F) and they follow me.^{(G) 28} I give them eternal life,^(H) and they shall never perish;^(I) no one will snatch them out of my hand.^{(J) 29} My Father, who has given them to me,^(K) is greater than all^[a];^(L) no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”^(M)

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep^(A)

15 Now the tax collectors^(B) and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. ² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”^(C)

³ Then Jesus told them this parable:^{(D) 4} “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?^{(E) 5} And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’^{(F) 7} I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.^(G)