² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.^(A)

⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁷ So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me^[a] are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.