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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.
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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.
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"The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again.
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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."
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Again there was a division among the people because of these words.
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Many of them were saying, "He has a demon! He is crazy! Why do you listen to him?"
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But others were saying, "A man with a demon could not talk like this! How could a demon give sight to blind people?"
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It was winter, and the Festival of the Dedication of the Temple was being celebrated in Jerusalem.
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Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the Temple,
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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?"