John 10:11-15 ▼

11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

12 But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

13 The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.

14 I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]—

15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.