“ Truly , truly , I tell you , whoever vvv does not enter ... the vvv vvv sheepfold by the gate , but climbs in some other way , - is a thief and a robber.
But the (one who) enters by the gate is (the) shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens (the gate) for him , and the sheep listen for his - voice. - He calls (his) own sheep by name and leads them out ....
When he has brought out all (his) own , he goes on ahead of them , and (his) sheep follow him because they know his - voice.
But vvv vvv they will never follow a stranger ; in fact , they will flee from him because vvv they do not recognize - (his) voice ... .... ”
- Jesus spoke to them (using) this - illustration , but they {did} not understand what - - He was telling them.
So - (He) said to them again , “ Truly , truly , I tell you , - I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before Me were thieves and robbers , but the sheep vvv did not listen to them.
I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me , he will be saved. - He will come in and go out and find pasture.
The thief comes vvv only ... to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life , and have (it) in all its fullness.
I am the - good shepherd. The - good shepherd lays down His - life for the sheep.
- The hired hand is not (the) shepherd , (and) the sheep are not his own. (When) he sees the wolf coming , he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters (the flock).
( The man runs away ) because he is a hired servant and vvv is unconcerned ... for the sheep.
I am the - good shepherd. - I know - My (sheep) and My (sheep) ... know Me ,
just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My - life for the sheep.
- I have other sheep that are not of this - fold. I must bring them in as well , and they will listen to My - voice. Then there will be one flock (and) one shepherd.
The reason ... the Father loves Me (is) that I lay down My - life in order to take it up ... again.
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 - charge I have received from My - Father. ”
Again there was division among the Jews because of (Jesus’) - message.
- Many of them said , “ He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him ? ”
(But) others replied , “ These are not the words of (a man) possessed by a demon. vvv Can a demon open (the) eyes of (the) blind ? ”
At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in - Jerusalem. It was winter ,
and - Jesus was walking in the temple (courts) in - vvv Solomon’s Colonnade.
So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded - , “ How long ... will You keep us in suspense ... ... ... ? If You are the Christ , tell us plainly. ”
“ I already told you , ” - Jesus replied - , “ but vvv you did not believe. The works - I do in - - My Father’s name - testify vvv on My behalf.
But because you are not - - My - sheep , you refuse to believe.
- My - sheep listen to My - voice ; I know them , and they follow Me.
I give them eternal life , and vvv vvv they will never perish ... ... .... - No one can snatch them out of My - hand.
My - Father who has given (them) to Me is greater than all. - No one can snatch (them) out of (My) - Father’s hand.
At this , the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him.
- (But) Jesus responded - , “ I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which vvv of these do you stone Me ? ”
“ vvv We are not stoning You for (any) good work , ” said the Jews - , “ but for blasphemy , - because You , who are a man , declare Yourself to be ... God. ”
- Jesus replied - , “ Is it not written in your - Law - : ‘ I have said you are gods ’ ?
If he called them gods to whom the word - of God came — and the Scripture vvv cannot be broken —
( then what about the One ) whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world ? How then {can} you accuse (Me) of blasphemy for stating that I am (the) Son - of God ?
If vvv I am not doing the works of My Father , (then) {do} not believe Me.
But if I am doing (them) , even though vvv you do not believe Me , believe the works (themselves) , so that you may know and understand that the Father (is) in Me , and I am in the Father. ”
At this , they tried again to seize Him , but He escaped ... their - grasp.
Then (Jesus) went back across the Jordan to the place where John - had - first been baptizing , and He stayed there.
- Many came to Him and said , - “ Although John - never performed a sign , - everything - (he) said about this (man) was true. ”