18. No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father."
19. There was another division among the Jews because of Jesus’ words.
20. Many of them said, "He has a demon and has lost his mind. Why listen to him?"
21. Others said, "These aren’t the words of someone who has a demon. Can a demon heal the eyes of people who are blind?"
22. The time came for the Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem. It was winter,
23. and Jesus was in the temple, walking in the covered porch named for Solomon.
24. The Jewish opposition circled around him and asked, "How long will you test our patience? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25. Jesus answered, "I have told you, but you don’t believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,
26. but you don’t believe because you don’t belong to my sheep.
27. My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me.
28. I give them eternal life. They will never die, and no one will snatch them from my hand.
29. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them from my Father’s hand.
30. I and the Father are one."
31. Again the Jewish opposition picked up stones in order to stone him.
32. Jesus responded, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of those works do you stone me?"
33. The Jewish opposition answered, "We don’t stone you for a good work but for insulting God. You are human, yet you make yourself out to be God."