Righteousness Through Faith

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God^(A) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.^{(B) 22} This righteousness^(C) is given through faith^(D) in^[a] Jesus Christ^(E) to all who believe.^(F) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,^{(G) 23} for all have sinned^(H) and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified^(I) freely by his grace^(J) through the redemption^(K) that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^[b](L) through the shedding of his blood^(M)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished^(N)— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am^(A) the gate^(B) for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me^(C) are thieves and robbers,^(D) 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,^(E) and have it to the full.^(F)

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