1. Jesus said:I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen.
2-3. But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd's voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out.
4. When he has led out all his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice.
5. The sheep will not follow strangers. They don't recognize a stranger's voice, and they run away.
6. Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
7. Jesus said:I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep.
8. Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them.
9. I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
10. A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it fully.
11. I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.
12. Hired workers are not like the shepherd. They don't own the sheep, and when they see a wolf coming, they run off and leave the sheep. Then the wolf attacks and scatters the flock.
13. Hired workers run away because they don't care about the sheep.
14. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me.