John 10:7-18 (From the Todays New International Version)
7 Therefore Jesus said again, Very truly I tell you, I am the gate
for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the
sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will
be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief
comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for
the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So
when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf
attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired
hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep 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 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 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, 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.
