8
All those who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep do not listen to them.
9
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.
10
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.
11
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12
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]--
13
because he is a hired hand and {he is not concerned} about the sheep.
14
"I am the good shepherd, and I know my [own], and my [own] know me,
15
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16
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.
17
Because of this the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take possession of it again.
18
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."