¹¹ “I am the good shepherd.^(A) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.^{(B) 12} The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them^[a] and runs away when he sees a wolf^(C) coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. ¹³ This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father.^(D) I lay down my life^(E) for the sheep. ¹⁶ But I have other sheep^(F) that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd.^{(G) 17} This is why the Father loves me,^(H) because I lay down my life^(I) so that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”^(J)

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life,^(A) and they will never perish.^(B) No one will snatch^(C) them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father,^(D) who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”^(E)

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father^(B) who raised him from the dead^(C)— ² and all the brothers who are with me:

To the churches of Galatia.^(D)

³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord^[a] Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins^(E) to rescue us from this present evil age,^(F) according to the will of our God and Father.^(G)

Undeserved Suffering

¹³ Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(A) you are blessed. Do not fear them^[a](B) or be intimidated,^{[b](C) 15} but in your hearts regard^[c] Christ^[d] the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.^{(D) 16} Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,^(E) so that when you are accused,^[e] those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer^(F) for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered^(G) for sins once for all,^(H) the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.^(I) He was put to death in the flesh^[f](J) but made alive by the Spirit,^[g]