John 8:36-49

³⁶If the Son sets you free, then you're truly free.

³⁷I know you're Abraham's descendants, yet you're trying to kill me because you refuse to accept my words.

³⁸I'm telling you what the Father has revealed to me, while you do what your father told you.”

³⁹“Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you really were children of Abraham, you'd do what Abraham did,” Jesus told them.

⁴⁰“But you are trying to kill me now, because I told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham would never have done that.

⁴¹You're doing what your father does.” “Well we are not illegitimate,” they responded. “God alone is our father!”

⁴²Jesus replied, “If God really was your father, you would love me. I came from God and now I am here. The decision to come wasn't mine, but the one who sent me.

⁴³Why can't you understand what I'm saying? It's because you refuse to hear my message!

⁴⁴Your father is the Devil, and you love to follow your father's evil desires. He was a murderer from the beginning. He never stood for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies he reveals his true character, for he's a liar and the father of lies.

⁴⁵So because I tell you the truth, you don't believe me!

⁴⁶Can any one of you prove that I'm guilty of sin? If I'm telling you the truth, why don't you believe me?

⁴⁷Anyone who belongs to God listens to what God says. The reason you don't listen is because you don't belong to God.”

⁴⁸“Aren't we right to call you a Samaritan who is demon-possessed?” said the Jews.

⁴⁹“No, I don't have a demon,” Jesus replied. “I honor my Father, but you dishonor me.