19. After Jesus spoke these words, the Jews again could not agree with each other.
20. Many of them said, "He is controlled by a demon. He has gone crazy! Why should we listen to him?"
21. But others said, "A person controlled by a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of someone who is blind?"
22. Then came the Feast of Hanukkah at Jerusalem. It was winter.
23. Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Porch.
24. The Jews gathered around him. They said, "How long will you keep us waiting? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25. Jesus answered, "I did tell you. But you do not believe. The kinds of things I do in my Father's name speak for me.
26. But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.
27. "My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
28. I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one can steal them out of my hand.
29. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than anyone. No one can steal them out of my Father's hand.
30. I and the Father are one."
31. Again the Jews picked up stones to kill him.
32. But Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many miracles from the Father. Which one of these are you throwing stones at me for?"
33. "We are not throwing stones at you for any of these," replied the Jews. "We are stoning you for saying a very evil thing. You are only a man. But you claim to be God."
34. Jesus answered them, "Didn't God say in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'? (Psalm 82:6)
35. We know that Scripture is always true. God spoke to some people and called them 'gods.'
36. If that is true, what about the One the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why do you charge me with saying a very evil thing? Is it because I said, 'I am God's Son'?
37. "Don't believe me unless I do what my Father does.
38. But what if I do it? Even if you don't believe me, believe the miracles. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."