“Verily, verily I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the doorkeeper openeth, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers.”

This parable Jesus spoke unto them, but they understood not what things they were which He spoke unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, “Verily, verily I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

But he that is a hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep and am known by Mine.

As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.

Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received from My Father.”

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

And many of them said, “He hath a devil and is mad. Why hear ye him?”

Others said, “These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?”

And it was at Jerusalem the Feast of the Dedication, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s Porch.

Then came the Jews round about Him and said unto Him, “How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and ye believed not. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.

But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me.

And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.

My Father, who gave them to Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.

I and My Father are one.”

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.

Jesus answered them, “Many good works have I shown you from My Father. For which of those works do ye stone Me?”

The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy and because thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said “Ye are gods”’?

If He called them gods unto whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

do ye say of Him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world, ‘Thou blasphemest,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not.

But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works, that ye may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

Therefore they sought again to take Him, but He escaped out of their hand,

and went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John had first baptized; and there He abode.

And many resorted unto Him and said that John did no miracle, but all things that John spoke of this Man were true.

And many believed in Him there.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.

He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them:

he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,

even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.

Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father.

There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words.

And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Others said, These are not the sayings of one possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem:

it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

The Jews therefore came round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, these bear witness of me.

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.

The Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from the Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),

say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.

They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand.

And he went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was at the first baptizing; and there he abode.

And many came unto him; and they said, John indeed did no sign: but all things whatsoever John spake of this man were true.

And many believed on him there.

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from some other place [on the stone wall], that one is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and provider].

The doorkeeper opens [the gate] for this man, and the sheep hear his voice and pay attention to it. And [knowing that they listen] he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [to pasture].

When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call.

They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.

So Jesus said again, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am the Door for the sheep [leading to life].

All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them.

I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security).

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.

I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]—

even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.

I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring those also, and they will listen to My voice and pay attention to My call, and they will become one flock with one Shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back.

No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.”

A division [of opinion] occurred again among the Jews because of these words [of His].

Many of them said, “He has a demon and He is mad [insane—He raves and rambles]. Why listen to Him?”

Others were saying, “These are not the words and thoughts of one possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem.

It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple [area] in Solomon’s portico.

So the Jews surrounded Him and began saying to Him, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are [really] the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), tell us so plainly and openly.”

Jesus answered them, “I have told you so, yet you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name testify concerning Me [they are My credentials and the evidence declaring who I am].

But you do not believe Me [so you do not trust and follow Me] because you are not My sheep.

The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.

And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are One [in essence and nature].”

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone Him.

Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works [and many acts of mercy] from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”

The Jews answered Him, “We are not going to stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy, because You, a mere man, make Yourself out to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods [human judges representing God, not divine beings]’?

If He called them gods, men to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be undone or annulled or broken),

[if that is true] then do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and set apart for Himself and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not do the works of My Father [that is, the miracles that only God could perform], then do not believe Me.

But if I am doing them, even if you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, [at least] believe the works [that I do—admit that they are the works of God], so that you may know and keep on knowing [clearly—without any doubt] that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father [that is, I am One with Him].”

So they tried again to seize Him, but He eluded their grasp.

He went back again across the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.

Many came to Him, and they were saying, “John did not perform a single sign (attesting miracle), but everything John said about this Man was true and accurate.”

And many there believed and confidently trusted in Him [accepting Him as Savior, and following His teaching].

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.

When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.

Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.

So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep.

All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them.

I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock].

Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].

I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me—

Even as [truly as] the Father knows Me and I also know the Father—and I am giving My [very own] life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep.

And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd.

For this [reason] the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life—to take it back again.

No one takes it away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily. [I put it from Myself.] I am authorized and have power to lay it down (to resign it) and I am authorized and have power to take it back again. These are the instructions (orders) which I have received [as My charge] from My Father.

Then a fresh division of opinion arose among the Jews because of His saying these things.

And many of them said, He has a demon and He is mad (insane—He raves, He rambles). Why do you listen to Him?

Others argued, These are not the thoughts and the language of one possessed. Can a demon-possessed person open blind eyes?

After this the Feast of Dedication [of the reconsecration of the temple] was taking place at Jerusalem. It was winter,

And Jesus was walking in Solomon’s Porch in the temple area.

So the Jews surrounded Him and began asking Him, How long are You going to keep us in doubt and suspense? If You are really the Christ (the Messiah), tell us so plainly and openly.

Jesus answered them, I have told you so, yet you do not believe Me [you do not trust Me and rely on Me]. The very works that I do by the power of My Father and in My Father’s name bear witness concerning Me [they are My credentials and evidence in support of Me].

But you do not believe and trust and rely on Me because you do not belong to My fold [you are no sheep of Mine].

The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are One.

Again the Jews brought up stones to stone Him.

Jesus said to them, My Father has enabled Me to do many good deeds. [I have shown many acts of mercy in your presence.] For which of these do you mean to stone Me?

The Jews replied, We are not going to stone You for a good act, but for blasphemy, because You, a mere Man, make Yourself [out to be] God.

Jesus answered, Is it not written in your Law, I said, You are gods?

So men are called gods [by the Law], men to whom God’s message came—and the Scripture cannot be set aside or cancelled or broken or annulled—

[If that is true] do you say of the One Whom the Father consecrated and dedicated and set apart for Himself and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I am not doing the works [performing the deeds] of My Father, then do not believe Me [do not adhere to Me and trust Me and rely on Me].

But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, [at least] believe the works and have faith in what I do, in order that you may know and understand [clearly] that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father [One with Him].

They sought again to arrest Him, but He escaped from their hands.

He went back again across the Jordan to the locality where John was when he first baptized, and there He remained.

And many came to Him, and they kept saying, John did not perform a [single] sign or miracle, but everything John said about this Man was true.

And many [people] there became believers in Him. [They adhered to and trusted in and relied on Him.]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

And many believed on him there.

“Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice.

They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.

I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them.

This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.

But I have other sheep 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.

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again.

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.”

Again the Jews were divided because of these words.

Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him?”

Others were saying, “These aren’t the words of someone who is demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade.

The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

“I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me.

But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone him.

Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these works are you stoning me?”

“We aren’t stoning you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because you—being a man—make yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods?

If he called those to whom the word of God came ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the one the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God?

If I am not doing my Father’s works, don’t believe me.

But if I am doing them and you don’t believe me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I in the Father.”

Then they were trying again to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

So he departed again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there.

Many came to him and said, “John never did a sign, but everything John said about this man was true.”

And many believed in him there.

‘Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice.

They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.’

Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

Jesus said again, ‘Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.

I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them.

This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.

‘I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.

But I have other sheep that are not from this sheepfold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again.

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.’

Again the Jews were divided because of these words.

Many of them were saying, ‘He has a demon and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him? ’

Others were saying, ‘These aren’t the words of someone who is demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? ’

Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade.

The Jews surrounded him and asked, ‘How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’

‘I did tell you and you don’t believe,’ Jesus answered them. ‘The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me.

But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.’

Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone him.

Jesus replied, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these works are you stoning me? ’

‘We aren’t stoning you for a good work,’ the Jews answered, ‘but for blasphemy, because you – being a man – make yourself God.’

Jesus answered them, ‘Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods?

If he called those to whom the word of God came “gods” – and the Scripture cannot be broken – 

do you say, “You are blaspheming” to the one the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God?

If I am not doing my Father’s works, don’t believe me.

But if I am doing them and you don’t believe me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I in the Father.’

Then they were trying again to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

So he departed again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising earlier, and he remained there.

Many came to him and said, ‘John never did a sign, but everything John said about this man was true.’

And many believed in him there.

I assure you that whoever doesn’t enter into the sheep pen through the gate but climbs over the wall is a thief and an outlaw.

The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The guard at the gate opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Whenever he has gathered all of his sheep, he goes before them and they follow him, because they know his voice.

They won’t follow a stranger but will run away because they don’t know the stranger’s voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this analogy didn’t understand what he was saying.

So Jesus spoke again, “I assure you that I am the gate of the sheep.

All who came before me were thieves and outlaws, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.

The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. That’s because he isn’t the shepherd; the sheep aren’t really his. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them.

He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.

“This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father.”

There was another division among the Jews because of Jesus’ words.

Many of them said, “He has a demon and has lost his mind. Why listen to him?”

Others said, “These aren’t the words of someone who has a demon. Can a demon heal the eyes of people who are blind?”

The time came for the Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was in the temple, walking in the covered porch named for Solomon.

The Jewish opposition circled around him and asked, “How long will you test our patience? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I have told you, but you don’t believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,

but you don’t believe because you don’t belong to my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me.

I give them eternal life. They will never die, and no one will snatch them from my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them from my Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

Again the Jewish opposition picked up stones in order to stone him.

Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”

The Jewish opposition answered, “We don’t stone you for a good work but for insulting God. You are human, yet you make yourself out to be God.”

Jesus replied, “Isn’t it written in your Law, I have said, you are gods?

Scripture calls those to whom God’s word came gods , and scripture can’t be abolished.

So how can you say that the one whom the Father has made holy and sent into the world insults God because he said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me.

But if I do them, and you don’t believe me, believe the works so that you can know and recognize that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Again, they wanted to arrest him, but he escaped from them.

Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had baptized at first, and he stayed there.

Many people came to him. “John didn’t do any miraculous signs,” they said, “but everything John said about this man was true.”

Many believed in Jesus there.

“Yes, indeed! I tell you, the person who doesn’t enter the sheep-pen through the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

But the one who goes in through the gate is the sheep’s own shepherd.

This is the one the gate-keeper admits, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep, each one by name, and leads them out.

After taking out all that are his own, he goes on ahead of them; and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.

They never follow a stranger but will run away from him, because strangers’ voices are unfamiliar to them.”

Yeshua used this indirect manner of speaking with them, but they didn’t understand what he was talking to them about.

So Yeshua said to them again, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that I am the gate for the sheep.

All those who have come before me have been thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.

I am the gate; if someone enters through me, he will be safe and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand, since he isn’t a shepherd and the sheep aren’t his own, sees the wolf coming, abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf drags them off and scatters them.

The hired worker behaves like this because that’s all he is, a hired worker; so it doesn’t matter to him what happens to the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me —

just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father — and I lay down my life on behalf of the sheep.

Also I have other sheep which are not from this pen; I need to bring them, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

“This is why the Father loves me: because I lay down my life — in order to take it up again!

No one takes it away from me; on the contrary, I lay it down of my own free will. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it up again. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”

Again there was a split among the Judeans because of what he said.

Many of them said, “He has a demon!” and “He’s meshugga! Why do you listen to him?”

Others said, “These are not the deeds of a man who is demonized — how can a demon open blind people’s eyes?”

Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter,

and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo’s Colonnade.

So the Judeans surrounded him and said to him, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us publicly!”

Yeshua answered them, “I have already told you, and you don’t trust me. The works I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf,

but the reason you don’t trust is that you are not included among my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice, I recognize them, they follow me,

and I give them eternal life. They will absolutely never be destroyed, and no one will snatch them from my hands.

My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch them from the Father’s hands.

I and the Father are one.”

Once again the Judeans picked up rocks in order to stone him.

Yeshua answered them, “You have seen me do many good deeds that reflect the Father’s power; for which one of these deeds are you stoning me?”

The Judeans replied, “We are not stoning you for any good deed, but for blasphemy — because you, who are only a man, are making yourself out to be God .”

Yeshua answered them, “Isn’t it written in your Torah, ‘I have said, “You people are Elohim’ ”?

If he called ‘elohim’ the people to whom the word of Elohim was addressed (and the Tanakh cannot be broken),

then are you telling the one whom the Father set apart as holy and sent into the world, ‘You are committing blasphemy,’ just because I said, ‘I am a son of Elohim’?

“If I am not doing deeds that reflect my Father’s power, don’t trust me.

But if I am, then, even if you don’t trust me, trust the deeds; so that you may understand once and for all that the Father is united with me, and I am united with the Father.”

One more time they tried to arrest him, but he slipped out of their hands.

He went off again beyond the Yarden, where Yochanan had been immersing at first, and stayed there.

Many people came to him and said, “Yochanan performed no miracles, but everything Yochanan said about this man was true.”

And many people there put their trust in him.

Jesus said: I tell you for certain only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen.

But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd's voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out.

When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice.

The sheep will not follow strangers. They don't recognize a stranger's voice, and they run away.

Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.

Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep.

Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them.

I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.

A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.

I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.

Hired workers are not like the shepherd. They don't own the sheep, and when they see a wolf coming, they run off and leave the sheep. Then the wolf attacks and scatters the flock.

Hired workers run away because they don't care about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me.

Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep.

I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must also bring them together, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.

The Father loves me, because I give up my life, so I may receive it back again.

No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.

The people took sides because of what Jesus had told them.

Many of them said, “He has a demon in him! He is crazy! Why listen to him?”

But others said, “How could anyone with a demon in him say these things? No one like this could give sight to a blind person!”

That winter, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Temple Festival.

One day he was walking in the part of the temple known as Solomon's Porch,

and the people gathered all around him. They said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly!”

Jesus answered: I have told you, and you refused to believe me. The things I do by my Father's authority show who I am.

But since you are not my sheep, you don't believe me.

My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me,

and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand.

My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands,

and I am one with the Father.

Once again the people picked up stones in order to kill Jesus.

But he said, “I have shown you many good things my Father sent me to do. Which one are you going to stone me for?”

They answered, “We are not stoning you because of any good thing you did. We are stoning you because you did a terrible thing. You are just a man, and here you are claiming to be God!”

Jesus replied: In your Scriptures doesn't God say, “You are gods”?

You can't argue with the Scriptures, and God spoke to those people and called them gods.

So why do you accuse me of a terrible sin for saying that I am the Son of God? After all, it is the Father who prepared me for this work. He is also the one who sent me into the world.

If I don't do as my Father does, you should not believe me.

But if I do what my Father does, you should believe because of that, even if you don't have faith in me. Then you will know for certain that the Father is one with me, and I am one with the Father.

Again they wanted to arrest Jesus. But he escaped

and crossed the Jordan to the place where John had earlier been baptizing. While Jesus was there,

many people came to him. They were saying, “John didn't work any miracles, but everything he said about Jesus is true.”

A lot of those people also put their faith in Jesus.

Verily, verily, I say to you, He that enters not in by the door to the fold of the sheep, but mounts up elsewhere, *he* is a thief and a robber;

but he that enters in by the door is [the] shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.

When he has put forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.

But they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.

This allegory spoke Jesus to them, but they did not know what it was [of] which he spoke to them.

Jesus therefore said again to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All whoever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: if any one enter in by me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and shall find pasture.

The thief comes not but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and might have [it] abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep:

but he who serves for wages, and who is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf seizes them and scatters the sheep.

Now he who serves for wages flees because he serves for wages, and is not himself concerned about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; and I know those that are mine, and am known of those that are mine,

as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep which are not of this fold: those also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

On this account the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have authority to lay it down and I have authority to take it again. I have received this commandment of my Father.

There was a division again among the Jews on account of these words;

but many of them said, He has a demon and raves; why do ye hear him?

Others said, These sayings are not [those] of one that is possessed by a demon. Can a demon open blind people's eyes?

Now the feast of the dedication was celebrating at Jerusalem, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple in the porch of Solomon.

The Jews therefore surrounded him, and said to him, Until when dost thou hold our soul in suspense? If thou art the Christ, say [so] to us openly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye do not believe. The works which I do in my Father's name, these bear witness concerning me:

but ye do not believe, for ye are not of my sheep, as I told you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;

and I give them life eternal; and they shall never perish, and no one shall seize them out of my hand.

My Father who has given [them] to me is greater than all, and no one can seize out of the hand of my Father.

I and the Father are one.

The Jews therefore again took stones that they might stone him.

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewn you of my Father; for which work of them do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy, and because thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called *them* gods to whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),

do ye say of him whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not;

but if I do, even if ye believe not me, believe the works, that ye may know [and believe] that the Father is in me and I in him.

They sought therefore again to take him; and he went away from out of their hand

and departed again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptising at the first: and he abode there.

And many came to him, and said, John did no sign; but all things which John said of this [man] were true.

And many believed on him there.

Truly, truly, I say to you, the one not entering into the fold of the sheep through the door, but going-up from-another-place— that one is a thief and a robber.

But the One entering through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The doorkeeper opens to this One. And the sheep hear His voice. And He calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out.

When He brings out all His own, He proceeds in front of them. And the sheep are following Him, because they know His voice.

But they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers”.

Jesus spoke this figure-of-speech to them, but those ones did not understand what the things were which He was speaking to them.

Then Jesus said again, “Truly, truly, I say to you that I am the door of  the sheep.

All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen-to them.

I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. And he will go in and go out, and he will find pasture.

The thief does not come except that he may steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have abundance.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays-down His life for the sheep.

The one being a hired one and not a shepherd, of whom the sheep are not his own— he sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them,

because he is a hired one, and he is not concerned about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. And I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me—

just as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay-down My life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring those also. And they will hear My voice. And they will become one flock, [with] one Shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves Me— because I lay down My life so that I may take it up again.

No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. I received this commandment from My Father”.

A division again took place among the Jews because of these words.

And many of them were saying, “He has a demon, and He is mad. Why are you listening-to Him?”

Others were saying, “These words are not from one being demon-possessed. A demon is not able to open the eyes of blind ones, is he?”

Then the Festival-of-Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter.

And Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.

Then the Jews surrounded Him. And they were saying to Him, “How long are You keeping us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us with plainness”.

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works which I am doing in the name of My Father— these are testifying about Me.

However, you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.

My sheep hear My voice. And I know them, and they follow Me.

And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, ever. And someone will not snatch them out of My hand.

What My Father has given to Me is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of the hand of the Father.

I and the Father are one”.

The Jews again carried stones in order that they might stone Him.

Jesus responded to them, “I showed you many good works from the Father. For which work of them do you stone Me?”

The Jews answered Him, “We do not stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy— even because You, being a human, are making Yourself God”.

Jesus responded to them, “Has it not been written in your Law that ‘I said, you are gods’?

If He called those ones to whom the word of God came gods— and the Scripture cannot be broken—

do you say as to the One Whom the Father set-apart and sent-forth into the world that ‘You are blaspheming’ because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

If I am not doing the works of My Father, do not be believing Me.

But if I am doing them— even if you do not believe Me, be believing the works, in order that you may come-to-know and be understanding that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father”.

Then they were seeking again to seize Him, and He went out of their hand.

And He went away again beyond the Jordan, to the place where John was first baptizing. And He was staying there.

And many came to Him, and were saying that “John did no sign— but all that John said about this One was true”.

And many believed in Him there.

Amen, amen I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he hath let out his own sheep, he goeth before them: and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.

But a stranger they follow not, but fly from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.

This proverb Jesus spoke to them. But they understood not what he spoke to them.

Jesus therefore said to them again: Amen, amen I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers: and the sheep heard them not.

I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved: and he shall go in, and go out, and shall find pastures.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.

But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and flieth: and the wolf catcheth, and scattereth the sheep:

And the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling: and he hath no care for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; and I know mine, and mine know me.

As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.

And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

Therefore doth the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

No man taketh it away from me: but I lay it down of myself, and I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

A dissension rose again among the Jews for these words.

And many of them said: He hath a devil, and is mad: why hear you him?

Others said: These are not the words of one that hath a devil: Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

The Jews therefore came round about him, and said to him: How long dost thou hold our souls in suspense? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them: I speak to you, and you believe not: the works that I do in the name of my Father, they give testimony of me.

But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me.

And I give them life everlasting; and they shall not perish for ever, and no man shall pluck them out of my hand.

That which my Father hath given me, is greater than all: and no one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father.

I and the Father are one.

The Jews then took up stones to stone him.

Jesus answered them: Many good works I have shewed you from my Father; for which of these works do you stone me?

The Jews answered him: For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, maketh thyself God.

Jesus answered them: Is it not written in your law: I said you are gods?

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God was spoken, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Do you say of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world: Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

But if I do, though you will not believe me, believe the works: that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.

They sought therefore to take him; and he escaped out of their hands.

And he went again beyond the Jordan, into that place where John was baptizing first; and there he abode.

And many resorted to him, and they said: John indeed did no sign.

But all things whatsoever John said of this man, were true. And many believed in him.

Jesus said, “It is certainly true that when a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep.

But the man who takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd.

The man who guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out.

He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him, because they know his voice.

But sheep will never follow someone they don’t know. They will run away from him, because they don’t know his voice.”

Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.

So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep.

All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need.

A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.

“I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. So when he sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them.

The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.

“I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep.

I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd.

The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can get it back again.

No one takes my life away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to get it back again. This is what the Father told me.”

Again the Jews were divided over what Jesus was saying.

Many of them said, “A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?”

But others said, “These aren’t the words of someone controlled by a demon. A demon cannot heal the eyes of a blind man.”

It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem.

Jesus was in the Temple area at Solomon’s Porch.

The Jewish leaders gathered around him. They said, “How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Messiah, then tell us clearly.”

Jesus answered, “I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. These miracles show who I am.

But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.

I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand.

My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand.

The Father and I are one.”

Again the Jews there picked up stones to kill Jesus.

But he said to them, “The many wonderful things you have seen me do are from the Father. Which of these good things are you killing me for?”

They answered, “We are not killing you for any good thing you did. But you say things that insult God. You are only a man, but you say you are the same as God! That is why we are trying to kill you!”

Jesus answered, “It is written in your law that God said, ‘I said you are gods.’

This Scripture called those people gods—the people who received God’s message. And Scripture is always true.

So why do you accuse me of insulting God for saying, ‘I am God’s Son’? I am the one God chose and sent into the world.

If I don’t do what my Father does, then don’t believe what I say.

But if I do what my Father does, you should believe in what I do. You might not believe in me, but you should believe in the things I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

They tried to get Jesus again, but he escaped from them.

Then he went back across the Jordan River to the place where John began his work of baptizing people. Jesus stayed there,

and many people came to him. They said, “John never did any miraculous signs, but everything John said about this man is true.”

And many people there believed in Jesus.

Jesus then said, ‘I tell you this: A shepherd keeps his sheep in a safe place with a wall round it. There is a gate into that safe place. Anyone who gets into that place by another way, not through the gate, is not the shepherd. That person is a robber. He comes to take away the sheep for himself.

But the shepherd goes in through the gate.

The person who watches the gate opens it for the shepherd. The sheep recognize the shepherd's voice. He calls each of his own sheep by their name and he leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own sheep, he goes in front of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice.

They will not follow a stranger. They will run away from a stranger because they do not recognize his voice.’

Jesus told this story like a picture to teach the people. But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus spoke again. He said, ‘I tell you this: I am like the gate for the sheep.

All other men who came before me were like robbers. But the sheep did not listen to them.

I am like the gate. Everyone who comes in through me will be safe. They will be free to come in and to go out. And they will find plenty of food.

The robber only wants to take away my sheep. He wants to kill them. He comes only to destroy them. But I have come so that they can have true life. And so that they can have everything that they need.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd would die so that he can save his sheep.

Another man may take care of sheep so that he gets money. But the sheep do not belong to him. A man like that is not the shepherd. If a wolf comes, a man like that runs away when he sees it. He leaves the sheep in danger. Then the wolf attacks the sheep. It causes them to run away in all directions.

That man runs away because the sheep do not belong to him. He does not think that the sheep are important.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep, and they know me.

I know them in the same way that my Father knows me. And they know me in the same way that I know the Father. I will die so that I can save my sheep.

I also have other sheep, and I must bring them too. They do not belong to this group of sheep. But they also will listen to my voice. So all the sheep will become one group, and they will have one shepherd.

The Father loves me because I choose to die for my sheep. But after I give my life like that, I will become alive again.

Nobody can take my life away from me. Instead, I myself can choose to die. I have authority to do that. I also have authority to become alive again. My Father has said that I must do that.’

Again, the Jews could not agree about these things that Jesus said.

Many of them said, ‘He has a demon in him and he is crazy. You should not listen to him!’

But other people said, ‘A man with a demon in him could not teach like this! A demon could not make blind people able to see!’

It was the time for the Jewish Festival called Hanukkah. This happened in Jerusalem. It was winter.

Jesus was walking in the yard of the temple, under a place with a roof. The place was called Solomon's porch.

The Jewish leaders stood around him. They said to him, ‘We want to know who you are. When will you tell us? If you are the Messiah, tell us clearly.’

Jesus answered, ‘I have already told you, but you do not believe. The things that I do by my Father's authority show you who I am.

But you refuse to believe, because you are not my sheep.

My sheep recognize my voice. I know them and they follow me.

I give them life for ever with God. They will never die. Nobody can ever take them away from me.

My Father has given them to me. He is greater than all things. Nobody can ever take my sheep out of my Father's hand.

My Father and I are one.’

Then the Jewish leaders picked up stones again to throw at Jesus so that they could kill him.

Jesus said to them, ‘I have done many good things. The Father sent me to do them, and I have shown them to you. Which of those good things make you want to kill me with stones?’

The Jewish leaders answered, ‘We do not want to kill you because of any good things that you have done. We want to kill you because you are speaking against God. You are only a man, but you are saying that you are God.’

Jesus answered them, ‘It is written in your own books of God's Law that God said, “You are gods.”

God called the people to whom he spoke “gods”. And you know that the Bible always remains true.

So, when I said that I am God's Son, why am I wrong? The Father chose me for himself. And he sent me into the world. So you should not say that I am speaking bad things against God.

If I am not doing my Father's work, do not believe me.

But if I am doing his work, you should believe that work. Even if you do not believe me, you should believe the things that I do. Then you will know certainly that the Father is in me. And you will know that I am in the Father.’

Again, the Jewish leaders tried to take hold of Jesus. But he escaped from them.

After that, Jesus returned across the Jordan River. He went to the place where John had earlier baptized people. Jesus stayed there.

Many people came to him. They said to each other, ‘John did not do any miracles. But everything that he said about this man was true.’

So, in that place, many people believed in Jesus.

“Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice.

They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus used this illustration in speaking to the people, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: I am the door for the sheep.

All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired man, who is not a shepherd, does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them.

Because he works for money, he does not care about the sheep.

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me

(just as the Father knows me and I know the Father). And I lay down my life for the sheep.

I also have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This is the commission I received from my Father.”

There was a division among the Jews again because of these words.

Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is out of his mind! Why listen to him?”

Others said, “These are not the sayings of someone demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Colonnade.

So the Jews gathered around Jesus, asking, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I am doing in my Father’s name testify about me.

But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep, as I said to you.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?”

“We are not going to stone you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because although you are a man, you make yourself out to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said you are gods’?

If he called those people ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken,

what about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world? Do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me.

But if I am doing them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works so that you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”

So they tried to arrest him again, but he eluded their grasp.

He went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he stayed there.

Many came to him and were saying, “John never did a miraculous sign, but everything John said about this man was true.”

And many believed in him there.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

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

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.

Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”

Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

I and the Father are one.”

The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”

The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me;

but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.

And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”

And many believed in him there.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

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

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.

Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”

Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

I and the Father are one.”

The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”

The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming’, because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me;

but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.

And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”

And many believed in him there.

Jesus said, “·I tell you the truth [^LTruly, truly I say to you], the person who does not enter the ·sheepfold [sheep pen] by the ·door [gate], but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. [^CThe sheep represent the people of God; the thief/robber stands for those who would lead them astray; Ps. 23; Ezek. 34.]

The one who enters by the ·door [gate] is the shepherd of the sheep.

The ·one who guards the door [gatekeeper; watchman] opens it for him. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [compare Num. 27:15–17].

When he brings all his sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.

But they will never follow a stranger. They will run away from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Jesus told the people this ·story [figure of speech; illustration; parable], but they did not understand what ·it meant [he was telling them].

So Jesus said again, “·I tell you the truth [^LTruly, truly I say to you], I am the ·door [gate] for the sheep. [^CJesus now refers to himself as the door rather than the shepherd.]

All the people who came before me were thieves and robbers [^Cothers who claimed to be the Messiah]. The sheep did not listen to them.

I am the ·door [gate], and the person who enters through me will be saved and will be able to come in and go out and find pasture [compare Ps. 118:20].

A thief comes [^Lonly] to steal and kill and destroy, but I came ·to give life [^Lthat they might have life]—life in all its ·fullness [abundance].

“I am the good shepherd [contrast Zech. 11:17]. The good shepherd ·gives [lays down] his life for the sheep.

The ·worker who is paid to keep the sheep [^Lhired hand] is different from the shepherd who owns them. When the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf ·attacks [or snatches; seizes] the sheep and scatters them.

The man runs away because he is only a ·paid worker [hired hand] and does not really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my ·sheep [^Lown], and my ·sheep [^Lown] know me,

just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I ·give [lay down] my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that are not in this ·flock [fold; pen; ^Ca reference to future Gentile followers of Christ], and I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

The Father loves me because I ·give [lay down] my life so that I can ·take [receive] it back again.

No one takes it away from me; I ·give [lay down] my own life ·freely [voluntarily; of my own free will]. I have the ·right [power; authority] to ·give [lay down] my life, and I have the ·right [power; authority] to ·take [receive] it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”

Again ·the leaders did not agree with each other [^Lthere was a division among the Jews] because of these words of Jesus.

Many of them said, “·A demon has come into him and made him crazy [^LHe has a demon and is crazy]. Why listen to him?”

But others said, “A man who is ·crazy with a demon [^Ldemon-possessed] does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

The time came for the ·Feast of Dedication [^Calso called Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights, recalling the rededication of the Temple in 164 bc] at Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking in the Temple in Solomon’s ·Porch [Portico; Colonnade; ^Con the eastern side of the Temple area; at a later time Christians gathered there to worship; Acts 3:11; 5:12].

·Some people [The Jewish leaders; ^LThe Jews] gathered around him and said, “How long will you ·make us wonder [keep us in suspense] about you? If you are the ·Christ [Messiah], tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you already, but you did not believe. The ·miracles [^Lworks] I do in my Father’s name ·show who I am [testify/bear witness about me].

But you don’t believe, because you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never ·die [perish], and no one can ·steal [snatch] them out of my hand.

My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can ·steal [snatch] my sheep out of my Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

Again some of the ·people [Jewish leaders; ^LJews] picked up stones to ·kill [^Lstone] Jesus.

But he ·said to [answered] them, “I have ·done [^Lshown you] many good works from the Father. Which of these good works are you ·killing [^Lstoning] me for?”

·They [The Jewish leaders; ^LThe Jews] answered him, “We are not ·killing [^Lstoning] you because of any good work you did, but ·because you speak against God [^Lfor blasphemy]. You are only a human, but you ·say you are the same as God [claim to be God; ^Lmake yourself God]!”

Jesus answered them, “·It is written [^LIs it not written…?] in your law that God said, ‘I said, you are gods’ [Ps. 82:6; ^Cthe “gods” here may be Israel’s judges, or the Israelites generally, or angelic powers].

This Scripture called those people gods who received God’s ·message [word], and Scripture ·is always true [^Lcannot be broken/annulled/set aside].

So why do you say that I ·speak against God [^Lblaspheme] because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? [^CJesus is not denying he is God, but is making a lesser-to-greater argument; if Scripture calls lesser beings “gods,” why should they object that he—the One God sent—calls himself the Son of God?] I am the one ·God [^Lthe Father] ·chose [consecrated; set apart] and sent into the world.

If I don’t do ·what my Father does [^Lthe works of my Father], then don’t believe me.

But if I do ·what my Father does [the works of my Father; ^Lthem], even though you don’t believe in me, believe ·what I do [^Lthe works]. Then you will ·know [recognize; learn] and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

[^LSo] They tried to ·take [seize; arrest] Jesus again [see 7:30], but he escaped from ·them [^Ltheir hands].

Then he went back across the Jordan River to the place where John had ·first [or earlier] baptized. Jesus stayed there,

and many people came to him and said, “John never did a ·miracle [^Lsign], but everything John said about this man is true.”

And in that place many believed in Jesus.

1 Christ proveth that the Pharisees are the evil shepherds, 8 and by many reasons, that himself 11, 14 is the good shepherd: 19 And thereof dissension ariseth. 31 They take up stones, 39 and go about to take him, but he escapeth. Verily, verily I say unto you, He that entereth not in by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up another way, he is a thief and a robber.

But he that goeth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he hath sent forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And they will not follow a stranger, but they flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily I say unto you, I am that door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me, are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am that door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in, and go out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and have it in abundance.

I am that good shepherd: that good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.

But an hireling, and he which is not the shepherd, neither the sheep are his own, seeth the wolf coming, and he leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

So the hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am that good shepherd, and know mine, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.

Other sheep I have also, which are not of this fold: them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice: and there shall be one sheepfold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself: I have power to lay it down, and have power to take it again: this commandment have I received of my Father.

¶ Then there was a dissension again among the Jews for these sayings.

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad: why hear ye him?

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil: can the devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the Dedication, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the Temple, in Solomon’s porch.

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be that Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father’s Name, they bear witness of me.

But ye believe not: for ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me,

And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of mine hand.

My Father which gave them me, is greater than all, and none is able to take them out of my Father’s hand.

I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews again took up stones, to stone him.

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father: for which of these works do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, saying, For the good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy, and that thou being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God was given , and the Scripture cannot be broken,

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

But if I do, then though ye believe not me, yet believe the works, that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Again they went about to take him: but he escaped out of their hands,

And went again beyond Jordan, into the place where John first baptized, and there abode.

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man, were true.

And many believed in him there.

“I can guarantee this truth: The person who doesn’t enter the sheep pen through the gate but climbs in somewhere else is a thief or a robber.

But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep respond to his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them out of the pen.

After he has brought out all his sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.

They won’t follow a stranger. Instead, they will run away from a stranger because they don’t recognize his voice.”

Jesus used this illustration as he talked to the people, but they didn’t understand what he meant.

Jesus emphasized, “I can guarantee this truth: I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came before I did were thieves or robbers. However, the sheep didn’t respond to them.

I am the gate. Those who enter the sheep pen through me will be saved. They will go in and out of the sheep pen and find food.

A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need.

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

A hired hand isn’t a shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep. When he sees a wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and quickly runs away. So the wolf drags the sheep away and scatters the flock.

The hired hand is concerned about what he’s going to get paid and not about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father.

So I give my life for my sheep.

I also have other sheep that are not from this pen. I must lead them. They, too, will respond to my voice. So they will be one flock with one shepherd.

The Father loves me because I give my life in order to take it back again.

No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will. I have the authority to give my life, and I have the authority to take my life back again. This is what my Father ordered me to do.”

The Jews were divided because of what Jesus said.

Many of them said, “He’s possessed by a demon! He’s crazy! Why do you listen to him?”

Others said, “No one talks like this if he’s possessed by a demon. Can a demon give sight to the blind?”

The Festival of the Dedication of the Temple took place in Jerusalem during the winter.

Jesus was walking on Solomon’s porch in the temple courtyard.

The Jews surrounded him. They asked him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I’ve told you, but you don’t believe me. The things that I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf.

However, you don’t believe because you’re not my sheep.

My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me,

and I give them eternal life. They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from me.

My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than everyone else, and no one can tear them away from my Father.

The Father and I are one.”

The Jews had again brought some rocks to stone Jesus to death.

Jesus replied to them, “I’ve shown you many good things that come from the Father. For which of these good things do you want to stone me to death?”

The Jews answered Jesus, “We’re going to stone you to death, not for any good things you’ve done, but for dishonoring God. You claim to be God, although you’re only a man.”

Jesus said to them, “Don’t your Scriptures say, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’?

The Scriptures cannot be discredited. So if God calls people gods (and they are the people to whom he gave the Scriptures),

why do you say that I’m dishonoring God because I said, ‘I’m the Son of God’? God set me apart for this holy purpose and has sent me into the world.

If I’m not doing the things my Father does, don’t believe me.

But if I’m doing those things and you refuse to believe me, then at least believe the things that I’m doing. Then you will know and recognize that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father.”

The Jews tried to arrest Jesus again, but he got away from them.

He went back across the Jordan River and stayed in the place where John first baptized people.

Many people went to Jesus. They said, “John didn’t perform any miracles, but everything John said about this man is true.”

Many people there believed in Jesus.

Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth: the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

The man who goes in through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him; the sheep hear his voice as he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out.

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

They will not follow someone else; instead, they will run away from such a person, because they do not know his voice.”

Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he meant.

So Jesus said again, “I am telling you the truth: I am the gate for the sheep.

All others who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate. Those who come in by me will be saved; they will come in and go out and find pasture.

The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.

“I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep.

When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them.

There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

“The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again.

No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father has commanded me to do.”

Again there was a division among the people because of these words.

Many of them were saying, “He has a demon! He is crazy! Why do you listen to him?”

But others were saying, “A man with a demon could not talk like this! How could a demon give sight to blind people?”

It was winter, and the Festival of the Dedication of the Temple was being celebrated in Jerusalem.

Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the Temple,

when the people gathered around him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? Tell us the plain truth: are you the Messiah?”

Jesus answered, “I have already told you, but you would not believe me. The deeds I do by my Father's authority speak on my behalf;

but you will not believe, for you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me.

What my Father has given me is greater than everything, and no one can snatch them away from the Father's care.

The Father and I are one.”

Then the people again picked up stones to throw at him.

Jesus said to them, “I have done many good deeds in your presence which the Father gave me to do; for which one of these do you want to stone me?”

They answered, “We do not want to stone you because of any good deeds, but because of your blasphemy! You are only a man, but you are trying to make yourself God!”

Jesus answered, “It is written in your own Law that God said, ‘You are gods.’

We know that what the scripture says is true forever; and God called those people gods, the people to whom his message was given.

As for me, the Father chose me and sent me into the world. How, then, can you say that I blaspheme because I said that I am the Son of God?

Do not believe me, then, if I am not doing the things my Father wants me to do.

But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, you should at least believe my deeds, in order that you may know once and for all that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father.”

Once more they tried to seize Jesus, but he slipped out of their hands.

Jesus then went back again across the Jordan River to the place where John had been baptizing, and he stayed there.

Many people came to him. “John performed no miracles,” they said, “but everything he said about this man was true.”

And many people there believed in him.

“I assure you: Anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the door but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.

They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.”

Jesus gave them this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.

So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.

All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them.

This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me,

as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.

But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves Me, because I am laying down My life so I may take it up again.

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.”

Again a division took place among the Jews because of these words.

Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and He’s crazy! Why do you listen to Him?”

Others were saying, “These aren’t the words of someone demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

Jesus was walking in the temple complex in Solomon’s Colonnade.

Then the Jews surrounded Him and asked, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

“I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in My Father’s name testify about Me.

But you don’t believe because you are not My sheep.

My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone Him.

Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. Which of these works are you stoning Me for?”

“We aren’t stoning You for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because You—being a man—make Yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your scripture, I said, you are gods ?

If He called those whom the word of God came to ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the One the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God?

If I am not doing My Father’s works, don’t believe Me.

But if I am doing them and you don’t believe Me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father.”

Then they were trying again to seize Him, yet He eluded their grasp.

So He departed again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and He remained there.

Many came to Him and said, “John never did a sign, but everything John said about this man was true.”

And many believed in Him there.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. The man who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The man who guards the door opens it for him. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out.

He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. They follow him because they know his voice.

But they will never follow a stranger. They will run away from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth. I am the door for the sheep.

All the people who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door. The person who enters through me will be saved. He will be able to come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. But I came to give life—life in all its fullness.

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

The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd who owns them. So when the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them.

The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me,

just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I give my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that are not in this flock here. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can take it back again.

No one takes it away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”

Again the Jews did not agree with each other because of these words Jesus said.

Many of them said, “A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?”

But others said, “A man who is crazy with a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

The time came for the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. This was during the winter.

Jesus was walking in the Temple in Solomon’s Porch.

The Jews gathered around him and said, “How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Christ, then tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. Those miracles show who I am.

But you don’t believe because you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never die. And no person can steal them out of my hand.

My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

Again the Jews picked up stones to kill Jesus.

But Jesus said to them, “I have done many good works from the Father. Which of these good works are you killing me for?”

The Jews answered, “We are not killing you for any good work you did. But you say things that are against God. You are only a man, but you say you are the same as God!”

Jesus answered, “It is written in your law that God said, ‘I have said you are gods!’

This Scripture called those people gods, the people who received God’s message. And Scripture is always true.

So why do you say that I speak against God because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? I am the one God chose and sent into the world.

If I don’t do what my Father does, then don’t believe me.

But if I do what my Father does, even though you don’t believe in me, believe what I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

They tried to take Jesus again, but he escaped from them.

Then Jesus went back across the Jordan River to the place where John had first baptized. Jesus stayed there,

and many people came to him. They said, “John never did a miracle. But everything John said about this man is true.”

And in that place many believed in Jesus.

“Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, the person who doesn’t enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a bandit.

The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

It’s to him the gatekeeper opens the gate, and it’s his voice the sheep hear. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

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

They’ll never follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.”

Jesus used this illustration with them, but they didn’t understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said, “Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, I’m the gate for the sheep.

All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.

I’m the gate. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved. He’ll come in and go out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I’ve come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

“I’m the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired worker, who isn’t the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, deserts the sheep, and runs away. So the wolf snatches them and scatters them,

because he’s a hired worker, and the sheep don’t matter to him.

I’m the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that don’t belong to this fold. I must lead these also, and they’ll listen to my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it back again.

No one is taking it from me; I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This is what my Father has commanded me.”

Once again there was a division among the Jews because of what Jesus had been saying.

Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why bother listening to him?”

Others were saying, “These are not the words of a man who is demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can it?”

Now Hanukkah was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking around in the Temple inside the open porch of Solomon.

So the Jewish leaders surrounded him and quizzed him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you’re the Messiah, tell us so plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I have told you, but you don’t believe it. The actions that I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf,

but you don’t believe, because you don’t belong to my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, they’ll never be lost, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

What my Father has given me is more important than anything, and no one can snatch it from the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

Again the Jewish leaders picked up stones to stone him to death.

Jesus replied to them, “I’ve shown you many good actions from my Father. For which of them are you going to stone me?”

The Jewish leaders answered him, “We are not going to stone you for a good action, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, are making yourself God!”

Jesus replied to them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’?

If he called those to whom a message from God came ‘gods’ (and the Scripture cannot be disregarded),

how can you say to the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You’re blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I’m the Son of God’?

If I’m not doing my Father’s actions, don’t believe me.

But if I’m doing them, even though you don’t believe me, believe the actions, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Again they tried to seize him, but he slipped away from them.

Then he went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and he remained there.

Many people came to him and kept saying, “John never performed a sign, but everything that John said about this man is true!”

And many believed in Jesus there.

Then Jesus said, “Believe me when I tell you that anyone who does not enter the sheepfold though the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a rogue. It is the shepherd of the flock who goes in by the door. It is to him the door-keeper opens the door and it is his voice that the sheep recognise. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out of the fold, and when he has driven all his own flock outside, he goes in front of them himself, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never follow a stranger—indeed, they will run away from him, for they do not recognise strange voices.”

Jesus gave them this illustration but they did not grasp the point of what he was saying to them. So Jesus said to them once more, “I do assure you that I myself am the door for the sheep. All who have gone before me are like thieves and rogues, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If a man goes in through me, he will be safe and sound; he can come in and out and find his food. The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd will give his life for the sake of his sheep. But the hired man, who is not the shepherd, and does not own the sheep, will see the wolf coming, desert the sheep and run away. And the wolf will attack the flock and send them flying. The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and has no interest in the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know those that are mine and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I am giving my life for the sake of the sheep.

“And I have other sheep who do not belong to this fold. I must lead these also, and they will hear my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd. This is the reason why the Father loves me—that I lay down my life, and I lay it down to take it up again! No one is taking it from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the power to lay it down and I have the power to take it up again. This is an order that I have received from my Father.”

Once again, the Jews were in two minds about him because of these words, many of them remarking, “The devil’s in him and he’s insane. Why do you listen to him?”

But others were saying, “This is not the sort of thing a devil-possessed man would say! Can a devil make a blind man see?”

Then came the dedication festival at Jerusalem. It was winter-time and Jesus was walking about inside the Temple in Solomon’s cloisters. So the Jews closed in on him and said, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you really are Christ, tell us so straight out!”

“I have told you,” replied Jesus, “and you do not believe it. What I have done in my Father’s name is sufficient to prove my claim, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep recognise my voice and I know who they are. They follow me and I give them eternal life. They will never die and no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. And no one can tear anything out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are One.”

Again the Jews reached for stones to stone him to death, but Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good things from the Father—for which of these do you intend to stone me?”

“We’re not going to stone you for any good things,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy: because you, who are only a man, are making yourself out to be God.”

“Is it not written in your own Law,” replied Jesus, “‘I have said you are gods’? And if he called these men ‘gods’ to whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), can you say to the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I fail to do what my Father does, then do not believe me. But if I do, even though you have no faith in me personally, then believe in the things that I do. Then you may come to know and realise that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

And again they tried to arrest him, but he moved out of their reach.

Then Jesus went off again across the Jordan to the place where John had first baptised and there he stayed. A great many people came to him, and said, “John never gave us any sign but all that he said about this man was true.”

And in that place many believed in him.

¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

And they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.

Jesus spoke this parable unto them, but they did not understand what it was that he spoke unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I AM the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

I AM the door; whosoever enters in by me shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture.

The thief comes not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy the sheep; I am come that they might have life and that they might have it in abundance.

I AM the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

But the hireling, who is not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches them and scatters the sheep.

The hireling flees because he is a hireling, and the sheep do not belong to him.

I AM the good shepherd, and know my sheep and am known of mine.

As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father, and I lay down my soul for the sheep.

And I have other sheep which are not of this fold; it is expedient that I bring them also, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my soul that I might take it again.

No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment I have received of my Father.

¶ There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these words.

And many of them said, He has a demon and is beside himself; why do ye hear him?

Others said, These are not the words of him that has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

¶ And they celebrated the dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

Then the Jews came round about him and said unto him, Until when wilt thou hold our soul in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I have told you, and ye do not believe; the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

But ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;

and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we do not stone thee, but for blasphemy; and because thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called them gods unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),

do ye say of him whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me.

But if I do, though ye do not believe me, believe the works that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him.

¶ Therefore they sought again to take him, but he escaped out of their hand

and went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized, and there he abode.

And many came unto him and said, John certainly did no sign, but all the things that John spoke of this man were true.

And many believed in him there.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

And many believed on him there.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

and went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

And many believed on him there.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

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

A stranger they will never follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches and scatters them—

because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,

even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep, which are not from this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.

No one takes it away from Me, but from Myself, I lay it down. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.

And many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”

Others were saying, “These are not the words of someone demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem;

it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the Portico of Solomon.

The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us openly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me.

But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish—ever; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.

Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”

The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and continue knowing that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”

Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.

And many came to Him and were saying, “While John did no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.”

And many believed in Him there.

“Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter through the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up at some other place—that one is a thief and a robber.

But the one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

For this one the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Whenever he sends out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

And they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what it was that he was saying to them.

Then Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All those who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep do not listen to them.

I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and will go out and will find pasture.

The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand, who is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf approaching and abandons the sheep and runs away—and the wolf seizes them and scatters them—

because he is a hired hand and he is not concerned about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep which are not from this fold. I must bring these also, and they will hear my voice, and they will become one flock—one shepherd.

Because of this the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take possession of it again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take possession of it again. This commandment I received from my Father.”

Again there was a division among the Jews because of these words.

And many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is out of his mind! Why do you listen to him?”

Others were saying, “These are not the words of one who is possessed by a demon! A demon is not able to open the eyes of the blind, is it?”

Then the feast of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking in the temple in the Portico of Solomon.

So the Jews surrounded him and began to say to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!”

Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe! The deeds that I do in the name of my Father, these testify about me.

But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep!

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish forever, and no one will seize them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can seize them from the Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

Then the Jews picked up stones again so that they could stone him.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good deeds from the Father. For which one of them are you going to stone me?”

The Jews answered him, “We are not going to stone you concerning a good deed, but concerning blasphemy, and because you, although you are a man, make yourself to be God!”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’?

If he called them ‘gods’ to whom the word of God came—and the scripture cannot be broken—

do you say about he whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not do the deeds of my Father, do not believe me.

But if I am doing them, even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

So they were seeking again to seize him, and he departed out of their hand.

And he went away again on the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John was baptizing at an earlier time, and he stayed there.

And many came to him and began to say, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true!”

And many believed in him there.

“Anyone refusing to walk through the gate into a sheepfold, who sneaks over the wall, must surely be a thief!

For a shepherd comes through the gate.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

He walks ahead of them; and they follow him, for they recognize his voice.

They won’t follow a stranger but will run from him, for they don’t recognize his voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant,

so he explained it to them. “I am the Gate for the sheep,” he said.

“All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.

Yes, I am the Gate. Those who come in by way of the Gate will be saved and will go in and out and find green pastures.

The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man will run when he sees a wolf coming and will leave the sheep, for they aren’t his and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf leaps on them and scatters the flock.

The hired man runs because he is hired and has no real concern for the sheep.

“I am the Good Shepherd and know my own sheep, and they know me,

just as my Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep, too, in another fold. I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice; and there will be one flock with one Shepherd.

“The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again.

No one can kill me without my consent—I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right and power to lay it down when I want to and also the right and power to take it again. For the Father has given me this right.”

When he said these things, the Jewish leaders were again divided in their opinions about him.

Some of them said, “He has a demon or else is crazy. Why listen to a man like that?”

Others said, “This doesn’t sound to us like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of blind men?”

It was winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of the Dedication Celebration. He was at the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Hall.

The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

“I have already told you, and you don’t believe me,” Jesus replied. “The proof is in the miracles I do in the name of my Father.

But you don’t believe me because you are not part of my flock.

My sheep recognize my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them away from me,

for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else, so no one can kidnap them from me.

I and the Father are one.”

Then again the Jewish leaders picked up stones to kill him.

Jesus said, “At God’s direction I have done many a miracle to help the people. For which one are you killing me?”

They replied, “Not for any good work, but for blasphemy; you, a mere man, have declared yourself to be God.”

“In your own Law it says that men are gods!” he replied. “So if the Scripture, which cannot be untrue, speaks of those as gods to whom the message of God came, do you call it blasphemy when the one sanctified and sent into the world by the Father says, ‘I am the Son of God’?

Don’t believe me unless I do miracles of God.

But if I do, believe them even if you don’t believe me. Then you will become convinced that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Once again they started to arrest him. But he walked away and left them,

and went beyond the Jordan River to stay near the place where John was first baptizing.

And many followed him. “John didn’t do miracles,” they remarked to one another, “but all his predictions concerning this man have come true.”

And many came to the decision that he was the Messiah.

“Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”

Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep rustlers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”

This kind of talk caused another split in the Jewish ranks. A lot of them were saying, “He’s crazy, a maniac—out of his head completely. Why bother listening to him?” But others weren’t so sure: “These aren’t the words of a crazy man. Can a ‘maniac’ open blind eyes?” * * *

They were celebrating Hanukkah just then in Jerusalem. It was winter. Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon’s Porch. The Jews, circling him, said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you’re the Messiah, tell us straight out.”

Jesus answered, “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don’t believe because you’re not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.”

Again the Jews picked up rocks to throw at him. Jesus said, “I have made a present to you from the Father of a great many good actions. For which of these acts do you stone me?”

The Jews said, “We’re not stoning you for anything good you did, but for what you said—this blasphemy of calling yourself God.”

Jesus said, “I’m only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, ‘I tell you—you are gods.’ If God called your ancestors ‘gods’—and Scripture doesn’t lie—why do you yell, ‘Blasphemer! Blasphemer!’ at the unique One the Father consecrated and sent into the world, just because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I don’t do the things my Father does, well and good; don’t believe me. But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you’ll see that not only are we doing the same thing, we are the same—Father and Son. He is in me; I am in him.”

They tried yet again to arrest him, but he slipped through their fingers. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and stayed there. A lot of people followed him over. They were saying, “John did no miracles, but everything he said about this man has come true.” Many believed in him then and there.

“Truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out.

When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Yet they will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him. For they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what He was telling them.

Then Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

But he who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and runs away. So the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.

The hired hand runs away because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and am known by My own.

Even as the Father knows Me, so I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.

I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also bring them, and they will hear My voice. There will be one flock and one shepherd.

Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again.

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I received this command from My Father.”

Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.

Many of them said, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”

Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

The Feast of the Dedication was at Jerusalem, and it was winter.

Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s Porch.

Then the Jews surrounded Him, saying, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you did not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name bear witness of Me.

But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

I give them eternal life. They shall never perish, nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them from My Father’s hand.

My Father and I are one.”

Again the Jews took up stones to stone Him.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

The Jews answered Him, “We are not stoning You for a good work, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, claim to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’?

If He called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken,

do you say of Him, whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I am not doing the works of My Father, do not believe Me.

But if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

Again they tried to seize Him, but He escaped from their hands.

Then He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and He remained there.

Many came to Him and said, “John did no sign. But everything that John said about this Man was true.”

And many believed in Him there.

“I tell you the solemn truth, the one who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, · but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The watchman allows him to enter, and the sheep pay attention to · his voice; · he calls · his own sheep by name and leads them out.

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

They will never follow a stranger, · but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus told them this · figurative story, · but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus said once again, · “I tell you the solemn truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved; · he will come in and go out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd; · the good shepherd · lays down · his life for the sheep.

The hired hand, since he is not a shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, sees a wolf coming and abandons the sheep and runs away—and the wolf attacks the flock and scatters them.

He does this because he is simply a hired hand and has no real concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. · · I know · my own and they know me, ·

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down · my life for my sheep.

· I have other sheep which are not of · this fold. These too I must bring. · They will listen to · my voice, and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.

Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down · my life in order that I may take it back again.

No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it back again. This · command I received from · my Father.”

Once again there was a division among the Jews because of · these words.

Many of them were saying, · “He is demon-possessed and out of control. Why are you listening to him?”

Others were saying, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

At that time the festival of Dedication was taking place in · Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking · in the temple area, in · Solomon’s Portico. ·

The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How much longer will you provoke us to · anger? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, · “I did tell you, yet you do not believe. The works that I am doing in · my Father’s name · speak on my behalf.

But you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. ·

· My sheep · listen to · my voice, and I know them. · They follow me,

and I give them eternal life. · They will never perish, and no one will ever snatch them out of · my hand.

· My Father, who has given them to me, is more powerful than all, and no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ·

I and the Father are one.”

The Jews again brought stones to stone him.

Jesus said to them, · “I have shown you many noble works from the Father; for which one of them do you intend to stone me?”

The Jews answered him, “It is not for a noble work that we intend to stone you but for blasphemy; · it is because you, a mere man, are making yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, · “Is it not written in · your law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

If the scripture called them ‘gods’ to whom the word of God came—and scripture cannot be annulled ·—

do you say regarding the one whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me;

but if I am doing them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may come to know and be certain that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father.”

So once again they tried to arrest him, but he escaped out of · their grasp.

· He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at an · earlier time, and there he remained.

· Many people came to him and were saying, “John performed no miraculous sign, but everything he said about this man was true!”

And many in that place came to believe in Jesus.

“I can guarantee this truth: The person who doesn’t enter the sheep pen through the gate but climbs in somewhere else is a thief or a robber.

But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep respond to his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them out of the pen.

After he has brought out all his sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.

They won’t follow a stranger. Instead, they will run away from a stranger because they don’t recognize his voice.”

Yeshua used this illustration as he talked to the people, but they didn’t understand what he meant.

Yeshua emphasized, “I can guarantee this truth: I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came before I did were thieves or robbers. However, the sheep didn’t respond to them.

I am the gate. Those who enter the sheep pen through me will be saved. They will go in and out of the sheep pen and find food.

A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need.

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

A hired hand isn’t a shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep. When he sees a wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and quickly runs away. So the wolf drags the sheep away and scatters the flock.

The hired hand is concerned about what he’s going to get paid and not about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father.

So I give my life for my sheep.

I also have other sheep that are not from this pen. I must lead them. They, too, will respond to my voice. So they will be one flock with one shepherd.

The Father loves me because I give my life in order to take it back again.

No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will. I have the authority to give my life, and I have the authority to take my life back again. This is what my Father ordered me to do.”

The Jews were divided because of what Yeshua said.

Many of them said, “He’s possessed by a demon! He’s crazy! Why do you listen to him?”

Others said, “No one talks like this if he’s possessed by a demon. Can a demon give sight to the blind?”

The Festival of the Dedication of the Temple took place in Jerusalem during the winter.

Yeshua was walking on Solomon’s porch in the temple courtyard.

The Jews surrounded him. They asked him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Yeshua answered them, “I’ve told you, but you don’t believe me. The things that I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf.

However, you don’t believe because you’re not my sheep.

My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me,

and I give them eternal life. They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from me.

My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than everyone else, and no one can tear them away from my Father.

The Father and I are one.”

The Jews had again brought some rocks to stone Yeshua to death.

Yeshua replied to them, “I’ve shown you many good things that come from the Father. For which of these good things do you want to stone me to death?”

The Jews answered Yeshua, “We’re going to stone you to death, not for any good things you’ve done, but for dishonoring God. You claim to be God, although you’re only a man.”

Yeshua said to them, “Don’t your Scriptures say, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’?

The Scriptures cannot be discredited. So if God calls people gods (and they are the people to whom he gave the Scriptures),

why do you say that I’m dishonoring God because I said, ‘I’m the Son of God’? God set me apart for this holy purpose and has sent me into the world.

If I’m not doing the things my Father does, don’t believe me.

But if I’m doing those things and you refuse to believe me, then at least believe the things that I’m doing. Then you will know and recognize that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father.”

The Jews tried to arrest Yeshua again, but he got away from them.

He went back across the Jordan River and stayed in the place where John first baptized people.

Many people went to Yeshua. They said, “John didn’t perform any miracles, but everything John said about this man is true.”

Many people there believed in Yeshua.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.

But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.

But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”

Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.

This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

Again there was a division among the Jews because of these words.

Many of them said, “He is possessed and out of his mind; why listen to him?”

Others said, “These are not the words of one possessed; surely a demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”

The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.

And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.

But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?”

The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’?

If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and scripture cannot be set aside,

can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me;

but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

[Then] they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.

He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.

Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.”

And many there began to believe in him.

“Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.

But the one who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

However, a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus told them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what the things which He was saying to them meant.

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters the flock.

He flees because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me,

just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, with one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it back.

No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Dissension occurred again among the Jews because of these words.

Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”

Others were saying, “These are not the words of one who is demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of those who are blind, can it?”

At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem;

it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple area, in the portico of Solomon.

The Jews then surrounded Him and began saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.

But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.

My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.

Jesus replied to them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”

The Jews answered Him, “We are not stoning You for a good work, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law: ‘I said, you are gods’?

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be nullified),

are you saying of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

but if I do them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”

Therefore they were seeking again to arrest Him, and He eluded their grasp.

And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He stayed there.

Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this Man was true.”

And many believed in Him there.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,

even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.

No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.

Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”

Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”

At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem;

it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.

The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.

But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.

Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”

The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”

Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.

Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.”

Many believed in Him there.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a bandit.

The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock.

The gatekeeper opens for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

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

However, they will never follow a stranger. Rather, they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”

Jesus used this parable to instruct them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Therefore, Jesus spoke to them again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheepfold.

All who came before me were thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them.

“I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be saved. He will go in and out and will find pasture.

“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand, who is not the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf approaching, and he leaves the sheep and runs away, while the wolf catches and scatters them.

He runs away because he is only a hired hand and he has no concern for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

“I have other sheep too that do not belong to this fold. I must lead them as well, and they will hear my voice. Thus, there will only be one flock, one shepherd.

“This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

No one takes it away from me. I lay it down of my own free will. And as I have the power to lay it down, I have the power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

Once again, these words provoked a division among the Jews.

Many of them were saying, “He is possessed and out of his mind. Why should we listen to him?”

But others said, “No one possessed by a demon could speak like this. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

At that time, the feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking in the temple along the Portico of Solomon.

The Jews gathered around him and asked, “How much longer will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have told you, but you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness to me,

but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will ever snatch them from my hand.

My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

Once again, the Jews picked up rocks to stone him,

but Jesus said to them, “I have performed in your presence many good works from my Father. For which of these works are you going to stone me?”

The Jews answered, “We are not going to stone you for any good work you have done, but for blasphemy. Even though you are a man, you are claiming to be God.”

Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: You are gods’?

If those to whom the word of God was addressed are called ‘gods’ —and Scripture cannot be set aside—

how can you say, ‘You blaspheme,’ to the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world for saying, ‘I am the Son of God’?

“If I am not performing the works of my Father, then do not believe me.

However, if I am doing them, then even if you do not believe me, at least believe my works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

They again tried to seize him, but he escaped from their clutches.

He went back across the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and he remained there.

Many people came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”

And many there came to believe in him.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the person who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The one who guards the door opens it for him. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he brings all his sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.

But they will never follow a stranger. They will run away from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the door for the sheep.

All the people who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door, and the person who enters through me will be saved and will be able to come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.

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

The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd who owns them. When the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them.

The man runs away because he is only a paid worker and does not really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me,

just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I give my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that are not in this flock, and I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

The Father loves me because I give my life so that I can take it back again.

No one takes it away from me; I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”

Again the leaders did not agree with each other because of these words of Jesus.

Many of them said, “A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?”

But others said, “A man who is crazy with a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

The time came for the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking in the Temple in Solomon’s Porch.

Some people gathered around him and said, “How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I told you already, but you did not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name show who I am.

But you don’t believe, because you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand.

My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

Again some of the people picked up stones to kill Jesus.

But he said to them, “I have done many good works from the Father. Which of these good works are you killing me for?”

They answered, “We are not killing you because of any good work you did, but because you speak against God. You are only a human, but you say you are the same as God!”

Jesus answered, “It is written in your law that God said, ‘I said, you are gods.’

This Scripture called those people gods who received God’s message, and Scripture is always true.

So why do you say that I speak against God because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? I am the one God chose and sent into the world.

If I don’t do what my Father does, then don’t believe me.

But if I do what my Father does, even though you don’t believe in me, believe what I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

They tried to take Jesus again, but he escaped from them.

Then he went back across the Jordan River to the place where John had first baptized. Jesus stayed there,

and many people came to him and said, “John never did a miracle, but everything John said about this man is true.”

And in that place many believed in Jesus.

“I tell you the solemn truth, the one who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

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

They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not recognize the stranger’s voice.”

Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the solemn truth, I am the door for the sheep.

All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand, who is not a shepherd and does not own sheep, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and runs away. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them.

Because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep, he runs away.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me—

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not come from this sheepfold. I must bring them too, and they will listen to my voice, so that there will be one flock and one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me—because I lay down my life, so that I may take it back again.

No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This commandment I received from my Father.”

Another sharp division took place among the Jewish people because of these words.

Many of them were saying, “He is possessed by a demon and has lost his mind! Why do you listen to him?”

Others said, “These are not the words of someone possessed by a demon. A demon cannot cause the blind to see, can it?”

Then came the feast of the Dedication in Jerusalem.

It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Portico.

The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I told you and you do not believe. The deeds I do in my Father’s name testify about me.

But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

The Jewish leaders picked up rocks again to stone him to death.

Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good deeds from the Father. For which one of them are you going to stone me?”

The Jewish leaders replied, “We are not going to stone you for a good deed but for blasphemy, because you, a man, are claiming to be God.”

Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

If those people to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ (and the scripture cannot be broken),

do you say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not perform the deeds of my Father, do not believe me.

But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may come to know and understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”

Then they attempted again to seize him, but he escaped their clutches.

Jesus went back across the Jordan River again to the place where John had been baptizing at an earlier time, and he stayed there.

Many came to him and began to say, “John performed no miraculous sign, but everything John said about this man was true!”

And many believed in Jesus there.

“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.

The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him. The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

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

But they will never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run away from him. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Jesus told this story. But the Pharisees didn’t understand what he was telling them.

So Jesus said again, “What I’m about to tell you is true. I am like a gate for the sheep.

All who have come before me are thieves and robbers. But the sheep have not listened to them.

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.

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.

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

The hired man is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when the hired man sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

The man runs away because he is a hired man. He does not care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me.

They know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I give my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this sheep pen. I must bring them in too. They also will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

The reason my Father loves me is that I give up my life. But I will take it back again.

No one takes it from me. I give it up myself. I have the authority to give it up. And I have the authority to take it back again. I received this command from my Father.”

The Jews who heard these words could not agree with one another.

Many of them said, “He is controlled by a demon. He has gone crazy! Why should we listen to him?”

But others said, “A person controlled by a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of someone who is blind?”

Then came the Feast of Hanukkah at Jerusalem. It was winter.

Jesus was in the temple courtyard walking in Solomon’s Porch.

The Jews who were gathered there around Jesus spoke to him. They said, “How long will you keep us waiting? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I did tell you. But you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name are a witness for me.

But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one will steal them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than anyone. No one can steal them out of my Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

Again the Jews who had challenged him picked up stones to kill him.

But Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. Which good work are you throwing stones at me for?”

“We are not throwing stones at you for any good work,” they replied. “We are stoning you for saying a very evil thing. You are only a man. But you claim to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Didn’t God say in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods” ’? (Psalm 82:6)

We know that Scripture is always true. God spoke to some people and called them ‘gods.’

If that is true, what about the one the Father set apart as his very own? What about this one the Father sent into the world? Why do you charge me with saying a very evil thing? Is it because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

Don’t believe me unless I do the works of my Father.

But what if I do them? Even if you don’t believe me, believe these works. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Again they tried to arrest him. But he escaped from them.

Then Jesus went back across the Jordan River. He went to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed.

Many people came to him. They said, “John never performed a sign. But everything he said about this man was true.”

And in that place many believed in Jesus.

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

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

But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

The Jews who heard these words were again divided.

Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”

But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.

The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,

but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him,

but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”

“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’?

If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—

what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.

But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed,

and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.”

And in that place many believed in Jesus.

‘Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

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

But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognise a stranger’s voice.’

Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me –

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that are not of this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.’

The Jews who heard these words were again divided.

Many of them said, ‘He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?’

But others said, ‘These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’

Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.

The Jews who were there gathered round him, saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’

Jesus answered, ‘I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,

but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.’

Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him,

but Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?’

‘We are not stoning you for any good work,’ they replied, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’

Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your Law, “I have said you are ‘gods’” ?

If he called them “gods”, to whom the word of God came – and Scripture cannot be set aside –

what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, “I am God’s Son”?

Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.

But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.’

Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising in the early days. There he stayed,

and many people came to him. They said, ‘Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.’

And in that place many believed in Jesus.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

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

But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.

The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.

And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”

Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.

Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.

But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

I and My Father are one.”

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.

Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’?

If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.

And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed.

Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.”

And many believed in Him there.

“For sure, I tell you, the man who goes into the sheep-pen some other way than through the door is one who steals and robs.

The shepherd of the sheep goes in through the door.

The one who watches the door opens it for him. The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and he leads them out.

When the shepherd walks ahead of them, they follow him because they know his voice.

They will not follow someone they do not know because they do not know his voice. They will run away from him.”

Jesus told this picture-story to them. Yet they did not understand what He said.

Again Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you, I am the Door of the sheep.

All others who came ahead of Me are men who steal and rob. The sheep did not obey them.

I am the Door. Anyone who goes in through Me will be saved from the punishment of sin. He will go in and out and find food.

The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

One who is hired to watch the sheep is not the shepherd. He does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep. He runs away while the wolf gets the sheep and makes them run everywhere.

The hired man runs away because he is hired. He does not care about the sheep.

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me.

I know My Father as My Father knows Me. I give My life for the sheep.

I have other sheep which are not from this sheep-pen. I must bring them also. They will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock with one shepherd.

“For this reason My Father loves Me. It is because I give My life that I might take it back again.

No one takes my life from Me. I give it by Myself. I have the right and the power to take it back again. My Father has given Me this right and power.”

Because of what He said, the Jews did not agree in their thinking.

Many of them said, “He has a demon and is crazy. Why listen to Him?”

Others said, “A man who has a demon does not talk this way. Can a demon open the eyes of a blind man?”

It was time for the religious gathering of remembering how the house of God was opened in Jerusalem.

It was winter and Jesus was there. He was walking in Solomon’s porch in the house of God.

The Jews gathered around Him. They said, “How long are You going to keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us.”

Jesus answered, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name speak of Me.

You do not believe because you are not My sheep.

My sheep hear My voice and I know them. They follow Me.

I give them life that lasts forever. They will never be punished. No one is able to take them out of My hand.

My Father Who gave them to Me is greater than all. No one is able to take them out of My Father’s hand.

My Father and I are one!”