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John 10

I tell you the truth, whoever doesn't go into the sheepfold by the door but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. But the one who goes in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens to him, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own she

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The good shepherd

I tell you the truth, whoever doesn't go into the sheepfold by the door but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. But the one who goes in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens to him, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. And they won't follow a stranger. They will run from him, because they don't know the voice of strangers. Jesus told them this parable. But they didn't understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus said to them again, I tell you the truth, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the door. If anyone goes in by me he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life, and have it in full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. But the hired man, who isn't the shepherd and doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs. And the wolf catches them and scatters the flock. The hired man runs because he is a hired man, and doesn't care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and 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. And I have other sheep that aren't of this fold. I must bring them too, and they will hear my voice. And there will be one flock and one shepherd. This is why my Father loves me — because I lay down my life, so I may take it up again. Nobody takes it from me. I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This is the command I received from my Father.

Truly, truly I say to you, the one who doesn't go into the sheepfold by the door but climbs up another way, that one is a thief and a robber. But the one who goes in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens to him, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he puts out his own sheep, he goes in front of them. And the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. And they won't follow a stranger, but will run from him. Because they don't know the voice of strangers. Jesus spoke this comparison to them. But they didn't understand what the things he spoke to them meant. Then Jesus said to them again: Truly, truly I say to you, I'm the door of the sheep. Everyone who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep didn't hear them. I'm the door. If any man goes in by me, he'll be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief doesn't come except to steal and to kill and to wreck. I've come so they can have life, and have it more fully. I'm the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But the hired man, who isn't the shepherd, whose own the sheep aren't, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs. And the wolf catches them and scatters the sheep. The hired man runs because he's a hired man and doesn't care about the sheep. I'm the good shepherd, and I know my sheep and am known by mine. The way the Father knows me, that's how I know the Father. And I give my life for the sheep. And I've got other sheep that aren't of this fold. I have to bring them too, and they'll hear my voice. And there'll be one flock and one shepherd. That's why my Father loves me, because I give my life so I can take it again. Nobody takes it from me, but I give it of myself. I've got power to give it, and I've got power to take it again. I've got this order from my Father.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

1

I tell you the truth, whoever doesn't go into the sheepfold by the door but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber.

Plain English

Truly, truly I say to you, the one who doesn't go into the sheepfold by the door but climbs up another way, that one is a thief and a robber.

King James Version, 1611

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2

But the one who goes in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

King James Version, 1611

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3

The gatekeeper opens to him, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

King James Version, 1611

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4

And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.

Plain English

And when he puts out his own sheep, he goes in front of them. And the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.

King James Version, 1611

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5

And they won't follow a stranger. They will run from him, because they don't know the voice of strangers.

Plain English

And they won't follow a stranger, but will run from him. Because they don't know the voice of strangers.

King James Version, 1611

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

6

Jesus told them this parable. But they didn't understand what he was saying to them.

Plain English

Jesus spoke this comparison to them. But they didn't understand what the things he spoke to them meant.

King James Version, 1611

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

7

So Jesus said to them again, I tell you the truth, I am the door of the sheep.

Plain English

Then Jesus said to them again: Truly, truly I say to you, I'm the door of the sheep.

King James Version, 1611

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

8

All who came before me are thieves and robbers. But the sheep didn't listen to them.

Plain English

Everyone who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep didn't hear them.

King James Version, 1611

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

9

I am the door. If anyone goes in by me he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Plain English

I'm the door. If any man goes in by me, he'll be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

King James Version, 1611

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life, and have it in full.

Plain English

The thief doesn't come except to steal and to kill and to wreck. I've come so they can have life, and have it more fully.

King James Version, 1611

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Plain English

I'm the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

King James Version, 1611

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

12

But the hired man, who isn't the shepherd and doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs. And the wolf catches them and scatters the flock.

Plain English

But the hired man, who isn't the shepherd, whose own the sheep aren't, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs. And the wolf catches them and scatters the sheep.

King James Version, 1611

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

13

The hired man runs because he is a hired man, and doesn't care about the sheep.

Plain English

The hired man runs because he's a hired man and doesn't care about the sheep.

King James Version, 1611

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

14

I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and my sheep know me,

Plain English

I'm the good shepherd, and I know my sheep and am known by mine.

King James Version, 1611

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

Plain English

The way the Father knows me, that's how I know the Father. And I give my life for the sheep.

King James Version, 1611

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16

And I have other sheep that aren't of this fold. I must bring them too, and they will hear my voice. And there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Plain English

And I've got other sheep that aren't of this fold. I have to bring them too, and they'll hear my voice. And there'll be one flock and one shepherd.

King James Version, 1611

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

17

This is why my Father loves me — because I lay down my life, so I may take it up again.

Plain English

That's why my Father loves me, because I give my life so I can take it again.

King James Version, 1611

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18

Nobody takes it from me. I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This is the command I received from my Father.

Plain English

Nobody takes it from me, but I give it of myself. I've got power to give it, and I've got power to take it again. I've got this order from my Father.

King James Version, 1611

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

At the feast of dedication

So there was a division among the Jews again over these words. And many of them said, He has a demon and he is mad. Why listen to him? Others said, These aren't the words of a man with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? And it was the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's Porch. Then the Jews gathered round him and said to him, How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and you don't believe. The works I do in my Father's name bear witness of me. But you don't believe, because you aren't my sheep, as I told you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and nobody will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all. And nobody is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of them are you stoning me? The Jews answered him, We aren't stoning you for a good work, but for blasphemy — because you, being a man, make yourself God. Jesus answered them, Isn't it written in your law, I said, You are gods? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came — and the scripture can't be broken — then do you say of the one the Father set apart and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I am the Son of God? If I don't do the works of my Father, don't believe me. But if I do, then even if you don't believe me, believe the works — so you may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him. So they tried to seize him again. But he escaped out of their hand, and went away again beyond the Jordan, to the place where John had first been baptising. And he stayed there. And many came to him and said, John did no miracle. But everything John said about this man was true. And many believed in him there.

So there was a division again among the Jews because of these words. And plenty of them said: He's got a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to him? Others said: These aren't the words of one who's got a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then the Jews came round him and said to him: How long will you keep us wondering? If you're the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them: I told you, and you didn't believe. The works I do in my Father's name, they testify about me. But you don't believe, because you aren't of my sheep, the way I said to you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them everlasting life. And they'll never die, and nobody will pull them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them me, is greater than all. And nobody can pull them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them: I've shown you plenty of good works from my Father. Which of those works do you stone me for? The Jews answered him: We don't stone you for a good work, but for speaking against God, and because you, being a man, make yourself God. Jesus answered them: Isn't it written in your teaching: I said you're gods? If he called them gods who the word of God came to, and the scripture can't be broken — do you say of the one the Father has made holy and sent into the world: You speak against God — because I said: I'm the Son of God? If I don't do the works of my Father, don't believe me. But if I do, though you don't believe me, believe the works, so you can know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him. So they looked to take him again. But he got away out of their hand. And went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John baptised at first. And he stayed there. And plenty went to him and said: John did no miracle. But everything John said about this man was true. And plenty believed in him there.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there.

19

So there was a division among the Jews again over these words.

Plain English

So there was a division again among the Jews because of these words.

King James Version, 1611

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

20

And many of them said, He has a demon and he is mad. Why listen to him?

Plain English

And plenty of them said: He's got a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to him?

King James Version, 1611

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

21

Others said, These aren't the words of a man with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

Plain English

Others said: These aren't the words of one who's got a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

King James Version, 1611

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

22

And it was the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem, and it was winter.

Plain English

And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem, and it was winter.

King James Version, 1611

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23

And Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's Porch.

Plain English

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

King James Version, 1611

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

24

Then the Jews gathered round him and said to him, How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.

Plain English

Then the Jews came round him and said to him: How long will you keep us wondering? If you're the Christ, tell us plainly.

King James Version, 1611

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

25

Jesus answered them, I told you, and you don't believe. The works I do in my Father's name bear witness of me.

Plain English

Jesus answered them: I told you, and you didn't believe. The works I do in my Father's name, they testify about me.

King James Version, 1611

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

26

But you don't believe, because you aren't my sheep, as I told you.

Plain English

But you don't believe, because you aren't of my sheep, the way I said to you.

King James Version, 1611

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

27

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

King James Version, 1611

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

28

And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and nobody will snatch them out of my hand.

Plain English

And I give them everlasting life. And they'll never die, and nobody will pull them out of my hand.

King James Version, 1611

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29

My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all. And nobody is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.

Plain English

My Father, who gave them me, is greater than all. And nobody can pull them out of my Father's hand.

King James Version, 1611

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30

I and my Father are one.

King James Version, 1611

I and my Father are one.

31

Then the Jews picked up stones again to stone him.

King James Version, 1611

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32

Jesus answered them, I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of them are you stoning me?

Plain English

Jesus answered them: I've shown you plenty of good works from my Father. Which of those works do you stone me for?

King James Version, 1611

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

33

The Jews answered him, We aren't stoning you for a good work, but for blasphemy — because you, being a man, make yourself God.

Plain English

The Jews answered him: We don't stone you for a good work, but for speaking against God, and because you, being a man, make yourself God.

King James Version, 1611

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

34

Jesus answered them, Isn't it written in your law, I said, You are gods?

Plain English

Jesus answered them: Isn't it written in your teaching: I said you're gods?

King James Version, 1611

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

35

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came — and the scripture can't be broken —

Plain English

If he called them gods who the word of God came to, and the scripture can't be broken —

King James Version, 1611

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

36

then do you say of the one the Father set apart and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I am the Son of God?

Plain English

do you say of the one the Father has made holy and sent into the world: You speak against God — because I said: I'm the Son of God?

King James Version, 1611

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

37

If I don't do the works of my Father, don't believe me.

King James Version, 1611

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38

But if I do, then even if you don't believe me, believe the works — so you may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him.

Plain English

But if I do, though you don't believe me, believe the works, so you can know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him.

King James Version, 1611

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

39

So they tried to seize him again. But he escaped out of their hand,

Plain English

So they looked to take him again. But he got away out of their hand.

King James Version, 1611

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

40

and went away again beyond the Jordan, to the place where John had first been baptising. And he stayed there.

Plain English

And went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John baptised at first. And he stayed there.

King James Version, 1611

And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

41

And many came to him and said, John did no miracle. But everything John said about this man was true.

Plain English

And plenty went to him and said: John did no miracle. But everything John said about this man was true.

King James Version, 1611

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

42

And many believed in him there.

Plain English

And plenty believed in him there.

King James Version, 1611

And many believed on him there.