¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father^(A)—and I lay down my life for the sheep.^(B)

¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life^(A)—only to take it up again.

¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.^(A) I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”^(B)

¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.^(A)

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.^(A) And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.^(B)