² Be shepherds of God’s flock^(A) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(B) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(C) but eager to serve;

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)

¹⁰ He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.

¹³ But Jacob said to him, “My lord^(A) knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young.^(B) If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die.

³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.^(A) He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.^(B)

³¹ You are my sheep,^(A) the sheep of my pasture,^(B) and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

⁴⁶ he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day,^(A) so that you may command^(B) your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.