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 one 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 were divided over what Jesus was saying.
20. Many of them said, “A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?”
21. But others said, “These aren’t the words of someone controlled by a demon. A demon cannot heal the eyes of a blind man.”
22. It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem.
23. Jesus was in the Temple area at Solomon’s Porch.
24. The Jewish leaders gathered around him. They said, “How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Messiah, then tell us clearly.”
25. Jesus answered, “I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. These miracles show who I am.
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 my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand.