6. Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.
7. So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth. I am the door for the sheep.
8. All the people who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them.
9. I am the door. The person who enters through me will be saved. He will be able to come in and go out and find pasture.
10. A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. But I came to give life—life in all its fullness.
11. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
12. The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd who owns them. 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.
13. The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care 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. I give my life for the sheep.
16. I have other sheep that are not in this flock here. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17. The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can take it back again.
18. No one takes it away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”
19. Again the Jews did not agree with each other because of these words Jesus said.