The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
14 "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.
14
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
15 In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary.
15
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 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.
16
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.
17 This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.
17
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.
18 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."
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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.”
19 This kind of talk caused another split in the Jewish ranks.
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The Jews who heard these words were again divided.
20 A lot of them were saying, "He's crazy, a maniac - out of his head completely. Why bother listening to him?"
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Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
21 But others weren't so sure: "These aren't the words of a crazy man. Can a 'maniac' open blind eyes?"
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But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
22 They were celebrating Hanukkah just then in Jerusalem. It was winter.
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Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,
23 Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon's Porch.
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and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.
24 The Jews, circling him, said, "How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you're the Messiah, tell us straight out."
24
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.”
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.