Scripture ReadingsHOME  |  + Larger Font  |  - Smaller Font  |  Index

744 THE GOOD SHEPHERDJohn 10, Jerusalem
"I tell you most solemnly,
anyone who does not enter the
sheepfold through the gate,
but gets in some other way
is a thief and a brigand.

"The one who enters through the gate
is the shepherd of the flock;
the gatekeeper lets him in,
the sheep hear his voice,
one by one he calls his own sheep
and leads them out.


"When he has brought out his flock,
he goes ahead of them,
and the sheep follow because they
know his voice.

"They never follow a stranger
but run away from him:
they do not recognize the voice of strangers."


"I tell you most solemnly,
I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come
are thieves and brigands;
but the sheep took no notice of them.

"I am the gate.
Anyone who enters through me will be safe:
he will go freely in and out
and be sure of finding pasture.


"The thief comes only to steal and
kill and destroy.
I have come so that they may have life
and have it to the full.

"I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd is one who lays
down his life for his sheep.


"The hired man, since he is not the shepherd
and the sheep do not belong to him,
abandons the sheep and runs away
as soon as he sees a wolf coming,
and then the wolf attacks and
scatters the sheep;
this is because he is only a hired man
and has no concern for the sheep.

"I am the good shepherd;
I know my own and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me
and I know the Father;
and I lay down my life for my sheep.


"And there are other sheep I have
that are not of this fold,
and these I have to lead as well.
They too will listen to my voice,
and there will be only one flock,
and one shepherd."