John 10

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.

Truly, I tell you, anyone who doesn't enter the sheep pen through the gate, but sneaks in some other way, is a thief and a crook.

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

The one who enters through the gate is the loving guide of the flock.

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

The gatekeeper opens the door for him; the sheep recognize his voice. He calls each of his sheep by their name, guiding them out with love and care.

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

When he leads his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep trail behind him because they recognize his voice.

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

They won't follow an unfamiliar voice, instead, they'll run away, for they don't recognize the sound of a stranger's call.

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

Jesus shared a story with them, a parable, but they couldn't grasp its meaning.

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

Jesus spoke to them once more, saying with absolute certainty, "Believe me when I say, I am the gateway for the sheep."

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

Everyone who appeared before me were just deceivers and exploiters, yet my followers never fell for their lies.

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

I am the gateway to salvation. Anyone who chooses to walk through me will be safe, free to come and go, and will find nourishment for their soul.

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.

The thief only comes to steal, harm, and ruin. But I am here to bring life, and not just life, but a life filled with abundance and joy.

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

I am the caring guide, who willingly sacrifices himself for the well-being of those he leads.

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.

A hired hand, not a true shepherd who doesn't own the sheep, sees danger and abandons the flock. The wolf attacks and scatters the sheep.

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

The paid worker runs away because he's just there for the money, he doesn't truly care about the sheep.

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

As a caring guide, I deeply know and love my flock, and they recognize and trust me.

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

Just as my Father truly understands me, I too understand Him. And for my flock, I willingly give my life.

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.

I have more followers who aren't yet part of our group. I need to guide them too, and they will recognize my voice. Eventually, we will all unite under one leader.

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

My Father cherishes me deeply, for I willingly sacrifice my life, knowing I can reclaim it.

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.

No one can take this from me, I willingly give it up. I have the strength to let it go, and the power to reclaim it. This is the duty my Father entrusted to me.

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

These words stirred up a fresh wave of disagreement among the Jews, causing a deep emotional divide.

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

Many questioned, "He's possessed, insane even; why do you listen to him?"

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

Some argued, "These aren't the words of a demon. Could a demon restore sight to the blind?"

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

In the heart of Jerusalem, amidst the celebration of the dedication feast, winter had cast its icy spell.

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

Jesus, filled with serenity, strolled through Solomon's grand temple.

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.

The Jews surrounded him, their frustration palpable, "Enough with the riddles. If you're the Messiah, just say it clearly!"

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.

Jesus responded, "I've already told you, but you didn't trust me. The miracles I perform in my Father's name, they are proof of who I am."

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

You don't believe, because you're not part of my flock, as I've told you before.

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

My cherished ones recognize my call, I am deeply familiar with them, and they willingly walk with me.

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

I promise them everlasting life; they will never be destroyed, and no one can ever snatch them from my care.

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

My Dad, who gifted me these blessings, is the greatest of all. No one can ever take them away from his protective grasp.

I and my Father are one.

My Father and I share a deep, unbreakable bond.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Once again, the Jews, filled with anger, picked up stones to harm him.

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

Jesus responded, "I've shown you countless acts of kindness from my Father. Which of these good deeds are you punishing me for?"

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.

The Jews responded, "We're not punishing you for doing good, but for your disrespect; you, a mere human, claim to be God."

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

Jesus responded, "Doesn't your own law say, 'You are divine'?"

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

If He referred to them as gods, those who received God's message, and since the scripture is unchangeable and absolute;

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?

You accuse the one, whom God has blessed and sent to earth, of blasphemy just because he claims to be God's son?

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

If I don't follow my Father's actions, don't trust me.

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.

Even if you don't trust my words, trust my actions. They will show you that God is within me, and I am within Him.

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

They tried once more to seize Him, but He slipped through their grasp.

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

He journeyed once more, beyond the Jordan, to the very place where John first performed baptisms; and there, he chose to stay.

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

Many came to him, saying, "John didn't perform any miracles, but everything he said about this man was accurate."

And many believed on him there.

There, many found faith in him.