18. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”
19. Again there was a division among the Jews because of these words.
20. Many of them said, “He is possessed and out of his mind; why listen to him?”
21. Others said, “These are not the words of one possessed; surely a demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”
22. The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.
23. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
24. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25. Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
26. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
27. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.
29. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.