John 8:41-57

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 honoring my Father; and yet you dishonor me.

⁵⁰Not that I am seeking honor for myself; there is one who is seeking my honor, 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 honor to myself,” answered Jesus, “such honor counts for nothing. It is my Father who does me honor — and you say that he is your God;

⁵⁵and yet you have not learned 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.”

⁵⁷“You are not fifty years old yet,” the people exclaimed, “and have you seen Abraham?”