Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

⁵ This is the message we have heard^(A) from him and declare to you: God is light;^(B) in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness,^(C) we lie and do not live out the truth.^{(D) 7} But if we walk in the light,^(E) as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[a] sin.^(F)

⁸ If we claim to be without sin,^(G) we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.^{(H) 9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins^(I) and purify us from all unrighteousness.^{(J) 10} If we claim we have not sinned,^(K) we make him out to be a liar^(L) and his word is not in us.^(M)

2 My dear children,^(N) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate^(O) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,^(P) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.^(Q)

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.^{(A) 2} The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.^{(B) 3} The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.^(C) He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.^{(D) 4} When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.^{(E) 5} But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech,^(F) but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.^(G)

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am^(H) the gate^(I) for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me^(J) are thieves and robbers,^(K) but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,^(L) and have it to the full.^(M)

¹¹ “I am^(N) the good shepherd.^(O) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.^{(P) 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.^(Q) 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;^(R) I know my sheep^(S) and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father^(T)—and I lay down my life for the sheep.^{(U) 16} I have other sheep^(V) 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^(W) and one shepherd.^{(X) 17} The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life^(Y)—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.^(Z) I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”^(AA)

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,^(A) and they follow me.^{(B) 28} I give them eternal life,^(C) and they shall never perish;^(D) no one will snatch them out of my hand.^{(E) 29} My Father, who has given them to me,^(F) is greater than all^[a];^(G) no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”^(H)