John 8:30-56

³⁰While he was speaking in this way, many came to believe in him.

³¹So Jesus went on to say to those who had believed him, “If you remain constant to my message, you are truly my disciples;

³²and you find out the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

³³“We are descendants of Abraham,” was their answer, “and have never yet been in slavery to anyone. What do you mean by saying ‘you will be set free’?”

³⁴“In truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

³⁵And a slave does not remain in the home always; but a son remains always.

³⁶If, then, the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!

³⁷I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you are seeking to put me to death, because my message finds no place in your hearts.

³⁸I tell you what I have myself seen in the presence of my Father; and you, in the same way, do what you have learnt from your father.”

³⁹“Our father is Abraham,” was their answer. “If you are Abraham's children,” replied Jesus, “do what Abraham did.

⁴⁰But, as it is, you are seeking to put me to death — a man who has told you the truth as he heard it from God. Abraham did not act in that way.

⁴¹You are doing what your own father does.” “We are not bastards,” they said, “we have one Father — God himself.”

⁴²“If God were your Father,” Jesus replied, “you would have loved me, for I came out from God, and now am here; and I have not come of myself, but he sent me as his messenger.

⁴³How is it that you do not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message.

⁴⁴As for you, you are children of your Father the devil, and you are determined to do what your father loves to do. He was a murderer from the first, and did not stand by the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he does what is natural to him; because he is a liar, and the father of lying.

⁴⁵But, as for me, it is because I speak the truth to you that you do not believe me.

⁴⁶Which of you can convict me of sin? Why then don't you believe me, if I am speaking truth?

⁴⁷The person who comes from God listens to God's teaching; the reason why you do not listen is because you do not come from God.”

⁴⁸“Aren't we right, after all,” replied the people, “in saying that you are a Samaritan, and are possessed by a demon?”

⁴⁹“I am not possessed by a demon,” Jesus answered, “but I am honouring my Father; and yet you dishonour me.

⁵⁰Not that I am seeking honour for myself; there is one who is seeking my honour, and he decides.

⁵¹In truth I tell you, if anyone lays my message to heart, he will never really die.”

⁵²“Now we are sure that you are possessed by a demon,” the people replied. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets; and yet you say ‘If anyone lays my message to heart, they will never know death.’

⁵³Are you greater than our ancestor Abraham, who died? And the prophets died too. Whom do you make yourself out to be?”

⁵⁴“If I do honour to myself,” answered Jesus, “such honour counts for nothing. It is my Father who does me honour — and you say that he is your God;

⁵⁵and yet you have not learnt to know him; but I know him; and, if I were to say that I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him, and I lay his message to heart.

⁵⁶Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; and he did see it, and was glad.”