John 10:10-29

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came 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 and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd. 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 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."

19 Again the Jews were divided because of these words.

20 Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?"

21 Others were saying, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

22 At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,

23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.

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

25 Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me;

26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.

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

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

29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities read [has taken]
• [b]. Or [the Christ]
• [c]. Other ancient authorities read [My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father's hand]