1 "What I'm about to tell you is true. What if someone does not enter the sheep pen through the gate but climbs in another way? That person is a thief and a robber.
2
The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him. The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4
When he has brought all of his own sheep out, he goes on ahead of them. His sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5
But they will never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run away from him. They don't recognize a stranger's voice."
6
Jesus used this story. But the Jews who were there didn't understand what he was telling them.
7
So Jesus said again, "What I'm about to tell you is true. I am like a gate for the sheep.
8
All those who ever came before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not listen to them.