¹¹ “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep^(A) and look after them. ¹² As a shepherd^(B) looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.^{(C) 13} I will bring them out from the nations and gather^(D) them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land.^(E) I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.^{(F) 14} I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel^(G) will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture^(H) on the mountains of Israel.^{(I) 15} I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down,^(J) declares the Sovereign Lord.^{(K) 16} I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up^(L) the injured and strengthen the weak,^(M) but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.^(N) I will shepherd the flock with justice.^(O)

Jesus Reinstates Peter

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”^(A)

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”^(B)

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”^(C)

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”^(D) He said, “Lord, you know all things;^(E) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.^{(F) 18} Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death^(G) by which Peter would glorify God.^(H) Then he said to him, “Follow me!”^(I)

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved^(J) was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)^{(K) 21} When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,^(L) what is that to you? You must follow me.”^(M)