John 10:1-11

New International Reader's Version

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “What I’m about to tell you Pharisees is true. What if someone does not enter the sheep pen through the gate but climbs in another way? That person is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him. The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own sheep, he goes on ahead of them. His sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run away from him. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus told this story. But the Pharisees didn’t understand what he was telling them.

⁷ So Jesus said again, “What I’m about to tell you is true. I am like a gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers. But the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I’m like a gate. Anyone who enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out. And they will find plenty of food. ¹⁰ A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.