John 10 : 1 (ERVEN)
Jesus said, "It is certainly true that when a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep.
John 10 : 2 (ERVEN)
But the man who takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd.
John 10 : 3 (ERVEN)
The man who guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out.
John 10 : 4 (ERVEN)
He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him, because they know his voice.
John 10 : 5 (ERVEN)
But sheep will never follow someone they don't know. They will run away from him, because they don't know his voice."
John 10 : 6 (ERVEN)
Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.
John 10 : 7 (ERVEN)
So Jesus said again, "I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep.
John 10 : 8 (ERVEN)
All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them.
John 10 : 9 (ERVEN)
I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need.
John 10 : 10 (ERVEN)
A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life�life that is full and good.
John 10 : 11 (ERVEN)
"I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
John 10 : 12 (ERVEN)
The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. So when he sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them.
John 10 : 13 (ERVEN)
The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.
John 10 : 14 (ERVEN)
"I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep.
John 10 : 16 (ERVEN)
I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10 : 17 (ERVEN)
The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can get it back again.
John 10 : 18 (ERVEN)
No one takes my life away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to get it back again. This is what the Father told me."
John 10 : 19 (ERVEN)
Again the Jews were divided over what Jesus was saying.
John 10 : 20 (ERVEN)
Many of them said, "A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?"
John 10 : 21 (ERVEN)
But others said, "These aren't the words of someone controlled by a demon. A demon cannot heal the eyes of a blind man."
John 10 : 22 (ERVEN)
It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem.
John 10 : 23 (ERVEN)
Jesus was in the Temple area at Solomon's Porch.
John 10 : 24 (ERVEN)
The Jewish leaders gathered around him. They said, "How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Christ, then tell us clearly."
John 10 : 25 (ERVEN)
Jesus answered, "I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father's name. These miracles show who I am.
John 10 : 26 (ERVEN)
But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.
John 10 : 27 (ERVEN)
My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
John 10 : 28 (ERVEN)
I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand.
John 10 : 29 (ERVEN)
My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand.
John 10 : 30 (ERVEN)
The Father and I are one."
John 10 : 31 (ERVEN)
Again the Jews there picked up stones to kill Jesus.
John 10 : 32 (ERVEN)
But he said to them, "The many wonderful things you have seen me do are from the Father. Which of these good things are you killing me for?"
John 10 : 33 (ERVEN)
They answered, "We are not killing you for any good thing you did. But you say things that insult God. You are only a man, but you say you are the same as God! That is why we are trying to kill you!"
John 10 : 34 (ERVEN)
Jesus answered, "It is written in your law that God said, 'I said you are gods.'
John 10 : 35 (ERVEN)
This Scripture called those people gods�the people who received God's message. And Scripture is always true.
John 10 : 36 (ERVEN)
So why do you accuse me of insulting God for saying, 'I am God's Son'? I am the one God chose and sent into the world.
John 10 : 37 (ERVEN)
If I don't do what my Father does, then don't believe what I say.
John 10 : 38 (ERVEN)
But if I do what my Father does, you should believe in what I do. You might not believe in me, but you should believe in the things I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
John 10 : 39 (ERVEN)
They tried to get Jesus again, but he escaped from them.
John 10 : 40 (ERVEN)
Then he went back across the Jordan River to the place where John began his work of baptizing people. Jesus stayed there,
John 10 : 41 (ERVEN)
and many people came to him. They said, "John never did any miraculous signs, but everything John said about this man is true."
John 10 : 42 (ERVEN)
And many people there believed in Jesus.
❮
❯