₂₂It was winter, and the Festival of the Dedication of the Temple was being celebrated in Jerusalem. ₂₃Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the Temple, ₂₄when the people gathered round him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? Tell us the plain truth: are you the Messiah?”

₂₅Jesus answered, “I have already told you, but you would not believe me. The things I do by my Father's authority speak on my behalf; ₂₆but you will not believe, for you are not my sheep. ₂₇My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ₂₈I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me. ₂₉What my Father has given me is greater than everything, and no one can snatch them away from the Father's care. ₃₀The Father and I are one.”