John 10:1-21 : Easy-to-Read Version  | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

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The Shepherd and His Sheep

10 1Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. When a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, then he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep. 2But the man that takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd. 3The man that guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. The shepherd calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. 4The shepherd brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But sheep will never follow a person they don't know. They will run away from that person, because they don't know his voice." 6Jesus told the people this story. But the people did not understand what the story meant.

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

7So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth. I am the gate for the sheep. 8All the people that came before I came were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. The person that enters through me will be saved. That person will be able to come in and go out. He will find everything he needs. 10A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life--life that is full and good. 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12The worker that is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. So when the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep. 14-15"I am the shepherd that cares for the sheep (people). I know my sheep like the Father knows me. And my sheep know me like I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep. 16I 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. 17The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can get it back again. 18No person 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." 19Again the Jews did not agree with each other because of these things Jesus said. 20Many of these Jews said, "A demon* has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?" 21But other Jews said, "These things we are hearing are not coming from someone that is crazy with a demon.*Can a demon heal the eyes of blind people? No!"

demon(s) Demons are evil spirits from the devil.

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