John 10 - Easy To Read Version Easy To Read Version
John 10

¹ Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. When a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, then he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep.

² But the man that takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd.

³ The man that guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. The shepherd calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out.

⁴ The shepherd brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice.

⁵ But sheep will never follow a person they don’t know. They will run away from that person, because they don’t know his voice.”

⁶ Jesus told the people this story. But the people did not understand what the story meant.

⁷ So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth. I am the gate for the sheep.

⁸ All the people that came before I came were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them.

⁹ I am the gate. The person that enters through me will be saved. That person will be able to come in and go out. He will find everything he needs.

¹⁰ A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

¹² The worker that is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. 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.

^13-15 The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.

¹⁶ I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future 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 get it back again.

¹⁸ No person takes my life away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life. And I have the right to get it back again. This is what the Father told me.”

¹⁹ Again the Jews did not agree with each other because of these things Jesus said.

²⁰ Many of these Jews said, “A demon {\cf2\super [163]} has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?”

²¹ But other Jews said, “These things we are hearing are not coming from someone that is crazy with a demon {\cf2\super [164]} . Can a demon heal the eyes of blind people? No!”

²² It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication {\cf2\super [165]} at Jerusalem.

²³ Jesus was in the temple {\cf2\super [166]} area at Solomon’s Porch. {\cf2\super [167]}

²⁴ The Jewish leaders gathered around Jesus. They said, “How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Christ, {\cf2\super [168]} then tell us clearly.”

²⁵ Jesus answered, “I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles {\cf2\super [169]} in my Father’s name. Those miracles show who I am.

²⁶ But you don’t believe. Why? Because you are not my sheep (people).

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.

²⁸ I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die. And no person can take them out of my hand.

²⁹ My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all. No person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand.

³⁰ The Father and I are one.”

³¹ Again the Jews there picked up rocks to kill Jesus.

³² But Jesus said to them, “I have done many good things from the Father. You have seen those things. Which of those good things are you killing me for?”

³³ The Jews answered, “We are not killing you for any good thing you did. But you say things that are against God. You are only a man, but you say you are the same as God! That is why we are trying to kill you with rocks!”

³⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written in your law, ‘I (God) said you are gods.’ {\cf2\super [170]}

³⁵ This Scripture {\cf2\super [171]} called those people gods—the people that received God’s message. And Scripture is always true.

³⁶ So why do you say that I am saying things that are against God because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? I am the one God chose and sent into the world.

³⁷ If I don’t do what my Father does, then don’t believe what I say.

³⁸ But if I do the same things my Father does, then you should believe in the things I do. You might not believe in me, but you should believe in the things I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

³⁹ The Jewish leaders tried to get Jesus again. But Jesus escaped from them.

⁴⁰ Then Jesus went back across the Jordan River. Jesus went to the place where John {\cf2\super [172]} was baptizing {\cf2\super [173]} before. Jesus stayed there,

⁴¹ and many people came to him. The people said, “John never did a miracle. {\cf2\super [174]} But everything John said about this man (Jesus) is true.”

⁴² And many people there believed in Jesus.