John 3 Cross References - AUV

¹ Now there was a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, named Nicodemus. ² This man went to Jesus one night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we [i.e., speaking of himself and other Jewish leaders] know that you are a Teacher sent from God, for no one could perform these [miraculous] signs that you are doing unless God were with Him.” ³ Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above [Note: The words “from above” are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean “again,” or “anew” and refer to the source of a person’s second birth]. ⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born [again] after he is [already] old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” ⁵ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit. ⁶ Whoever is born from human parents is a human being; and whoever is born from the Holy Spirit is a spiritual being. ⁷ So, do not be surprised that I have said to you, ‘You must be born from above.” [See note on verse 3]. ⁸ The wind blows wherever it wants to, and you can hear the sound of it, without knowing where it came from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born from the Holy Spirit.” ⁹ Then Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can these things happen?” ¹⁰ Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of the Israelites and [yet] you do not understand these things? ¹¹ Truly, truly, I tell you, we [i.e., Jesus and His disciples] speak about what we know, and testify about what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe [it], how will you believe [it] if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ And no one has gone up to heaven except the One who has come down from heaven, [even] the Son of man. {{Most translations do not contain the added words “who is in heaven”}}. ¹⁴ And [just] like Moses lifted up the snake [on the pole] in the wilderness [Num. 21:9], so the Son of man must be lifted up [on the cross] ¹⁵ so that whoever believes in Him would have never ending life.” [Note: Some translations extend Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus through verse 21]. ¹⁶ For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge [i.e., to condemn it], but [rather] so that the people of the world could be saved [from condemnation] though Him. ¹⁸ The person who believes in Him will not be condemned, but the one who does not believe in Him has already been condemned, because he did not believe in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ Now this is [how God’s] judgment [works]: The Light [See 1:5-9] has come into the world, but people loved darkness [i.e., sin] rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For every person who practices evil things hates the light [of truth] and does not come to it, for fear of having his deeds exposed [as sinful]. ²¹ But the person who does what is [according to the] truth [i.e., good things] comes to the light so that his deeds may be shown to have been produced by God. ²² After this Jesus and His disciples went to the country-[side] of Judea and there they remained and immersed people. ²³ John [the Immerser] was also immersing people in Aenon, near Salem [Note: These locations are thought to have been in northeastern Judea, near the Jordan River], because there was a lot of water there; so people were coming to be immersed. ²⁴ Now John had not yet been thrown into prison. ²⁵ [About then] a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew over ceremonial cleansing. ²⁶ These disciples went to John and said to him, “Rabbi, look, that man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan River [i.e., Jesus], whom you testified about, is immersing people and everyone is going to him.” [Note: Actually, it was Jesus’ disciples who did the immersing. See 4:2]. ²⁷ John replied to them, “A person cannot receive anything, unless it has been given to him from [God in] heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] but [rather] that I was sent [by God] ahead of Him.’ ²⁹ The one who has the bride is the groom; but the best man, who stands up with him and listens to him [take his vows], is very happy when he hears him speak. So, [now] my joy is complete [i.e. over hearing about Jesus’ ministry]. ³⁰ He [i.e., Jesus] must increase [in importance and influence], while I must decrease.” ³¹ The One who comes from above [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]; but the one who is out of the earth [i.e., of human origin] is [merely] an earthly [being] and he speaks in earthly [ways]. [But] the One who comes from heaven [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]. ³² He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. ³³ The person who has accepted Jesus’ testimony has confirmed this [fact], that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse]. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hands [See Eph. 1:20-22]. ³⁶ The person who believes in the Son has never ending life, but the person who disobeys the Son will not see life [i.e., will not experience never ending life], but [instead], God’s wrath remains on him.

²³ “Look, the virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

³ For this is the man who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, who said, [Isa. 40:3], “[It is] the voice of a man who speaks out in the desert, [urging people to] make the road for the Lord ready [for Him to travel]; to make a straight pathway for Him [to walk on].”

⁵ [People from] Jerusalem and all over Judea and the region around the Jordan River all went out [to the desert] to [hear] him, ⁶ and people were immersed by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

¹¹ “I certainly am immersing you in water following [your] repentance, but the One who follows my [ministry], whose sandals I do not deserve to remove [as His slave], will immerse you people with the Holy Spirit and with fire [i.e., the punishment in hell. See verses 10 and 12].

¹¹ “I certainly am immersing you in water following [your] repentance, but the One who follows my [ministry], whose sandals I do not deserve to remove [as His slave], will immerse you people with the Holy Spirit and with fire [i.e., the punishment in hell. See verses 10 and 12]. ¹² His winnowing shovel [Note: This was a process whereby grain was tossed into the air so that the wind could blow the husks away, leaving only good grain on the ground] is in His hand and He will completely clear off His threshing floor [by removing all of the husks]. And He will gather His wheat into the barn, but will burn up the husks with a fire that will never go out.”

¹⁷ Then a voice came out of heaven, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son. I am very pleased with Him.”

¹² Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He left [the province of Judea] and went to Galilee.

¹⁸ For it is true when I say, not one little letter or even a portion of a letter will be removed from the law of Moses until everything is accomplished [that is required by them]. [When that happens, then] heaven and earth will pass away [i.e., be destroyed. See II Peter 3:12].

²⁰ For I say to you people, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven unless what you do that is right excels what the experts in the law of Moses and the Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] do that is right.

¹³ Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call righteous people [to be my followers] but sinners.”

¹⁵ Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen act sadly while the groom is still with them? But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

²⁰ Then Jesus began to rebuke the people of the towns where most of His powerful miracles were performed because they did not repent [when they saw Him perform them]. ²¹ [He said] “It will be too bad for you, Chorazin! It will be too bad for you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful miracles had been performed in [the cities of] Tyre and Sidon which were performed in your presence, they would have repented long ago, [demonstrating it] by wearing sackcloth [i.e., a coarse cloth made of goat hair] and throwing ashes [into the air]. ²² But I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be shown more leniency on the judgment day than you people will. ²³ And Capernaum, do you think you will be lifted up toward heaven [as a proud city]? [No indeed], you will [surely] go down to the place of the unseen [i.e., become obscure or obliterated as a city]. For if the powerful miracles had been performed in Sodom which were performed in your presence, it would have remained [even] until today. ²⁴ But I say to you, Sodom will be shown more leniency on the judgment day than you will.” ²⁵ About that time Jesus said [in prayer], “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things [i.e., the significance of Jesus’ words and works] from those who [thought they] were wise and intelligent and have [instead] revealed them to people who are child-like.

²⁷ “All things have been entrusted to me by my Father and no one [truly] knows the Son except the Father. And neither does anyone [truly] know the Father except the Son and that person to whom the Son wants to reveal Him.

¹⁸ [Isa. 13:1ff] “Look, see my [i.e., God’s] servant whom I have chosen; my dear One [i.e., Jesus] with whom my soul is very pleased: I will put my Holy Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim judgment to the [unconverted] Gentiles.

¹¹ He replied, “You disciples are being given an understanding of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but the crowds of people are not. ¹² For to the person who [already] has something, [more] will be given, so he will have a larger amount [i.e., of understanding], but from the person who has [almost] nothing, even [the little] he has will be taken away from him. ¹³ Therefore, I am speaking to them with parables because [although] they can see, they [really] do not perceive, and [although] they can hear, they [really] do not comprehend, and so they [utterly] fail to understand [what I am trying to get across]. ¹⁴ So, the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled by them, which says, [Isa. 6:9f] ‘You will hear all right, but you will not understand [what you hear]. You will see all right but you will not perceive [what you see]. ¹⁵ For these people’s minds are dull, and their ears have difficulty hearing, and they have shut their eyes. For if this were not the case, they would perceive what they see with their eyes, and comprehend what they hear with their ears, and understand with their minds and would turn [back to God] again so I would heal them [from their sins].’ ¹⁶ But your eyes are fortunate for they [really] see, and so are your ears, for they [really] hear.

³¹ Jesus told them another parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is similar to a seed from the mustard tree which a man took and planted in his field. ³² This seed is indeed [one of] the smallest of all seeds, but when it is [fully] grown, it is larger than [other] plants, and [even] becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and roost on its branches.” ³³ Then He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is similar to yeast, which a woman worked into a batch of dough [i.e., the amount was over half a bushel], until [the dough] was completely leavened [by it].”

³³ Then He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is similar to yeast, which a woman worked into a batch of dough [i.e., the amount was over half a bushel], until [the dough] was completely leavened [by it].” ³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds with parables. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. ³⁵ [This was] so that what was spoken by the prophet would be fulfilled, when he said [Psa. 78:2], “I will open my mouth [to speak] with parables. I will say things that have been hidden from the beginning of time.”

³ For Herod had arrested John and had him chained and put in prison in order to please Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

¹⁴ [So], let these Pharisees alone; they are blind leaders. And if a blind person leads a blind person, both of them will fall into a ditch.”

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Simon, son of Jonah, you are fortunate [indeed], for this [truth] was not revealed to you by human beings but [rather] by my Father who is in heaven.

⁵ While he was still talking, suddenly a bright cloud engulfed them. Just then, a voice spoke out of the cloud, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, who is very pleasing to me; listen to Him.”

³ and said, “Truly I tell you, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless you turn [your life around] and become like little children [i.e., having child-like humility].

¹⁰ Make sure you do not look down on any one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ]. For I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. {[{[Some ancient manuscripts include verse

²⁵ Where did the immersion of John come from? From heaven or from men?” And they discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘from heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe his message?’

² “The kingdom of heaven is similar to a certain king who held a wedding reception for his son.

¹⁶ So, they sent their disciples, [along] with the Herodians to Him [Note: These were members of a political party favoring King Herod], saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and that you teach the truth about God’s way. You do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone or allow the position of any person to influence you.

²⁹ But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken [in your reasoning], not knowing [what] the Scriptures [teach] or [how much] power God has.

⁷ They love the [special] greetings they receive at the open shopping markets and to be addressed as ‘Rabbi’ [Note: This word signified ‘great’ or ‘master’].

³⁷ “O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [you people] who murdered the prophets and stoned those who were sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather you people together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

¹ “Then the kingdom of heaven will be similar to ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the [bride and] groom. [Note: The picture here is that of a newly married couple returning from a festive reception to the groom’s home where they continued celebrating and were welcomed by a late evening wedding party]

¹⁵ He gave one servant five talents [Note: This ‘talent’ was a large sum of money in the form of a certain weight of silver. It was the equivalent of sixty years of a farm laborer’s wages, or about $750,000 in 1994 income]. He gave two talents to another servant and one talent to another. He gave to each one an amount in keeping with his ability [to invest it wisely], and then left on his trip.

⁵⁴ How [else] then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that this must happen [than what is taking place]?”

¹⁸ Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ So, as you go, make disciples out of people from all the nations, then immerse believers [See Mark 16:15-16] into the name of [i.e., to enter a relationship with] the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ [Then] go on teaching them [i.e., these new converts] to obey everything I have commanded you and my presence will be with you always, even to the end of the age.

² It was even written in Isaiah, the prophet [Note: Verse 2 is quote from Mal. 3:1; verse 3 from Isa. 40:3], “Look, I am sending my messenger on ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you. ³ He will be the voice of a man shouting out in the desert, [urging people] to make the road for the Lord ready [to travel on]; to make a straight pathway for him.” ⁴ John [the Immerser] came immersing people in the desert and proclaiming that those immersed on the basis of their repentance would receive the forgiveness of sins [from God]. ⁵ And people from throughout all the regions of Judea and all of Jerusalem went out to John [in the desert]. And he immersed them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

²⁶ And Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like a farmer who scattered seed on the ground, ²⁷ then went to bed and got up the next day to find that the seed had sprouted and grown, yet he did not know how it happened. ²⁸ The soil yields its crop, first the green sprout, then the ears of grain, and then the kernels in the ears. ²⁹ But when the grain ripens the farmer wields his sickle because harvest time has come.”

¹⁷ For it was Herod himself who had sent for John and had him arrested and chained up in prison. He did this to please Herodias, who was [i.e., had been] his brother Philip’s wife, but whom Herod had married.

² They had observed some of His disciples eating their food with contaminated, that is, [ceremonially] unwashed hands. ³ (For the Pharisees and all the Jews would not eat anything unless they first scrubbed their hands [i.e., up to the wrists] in accordance with the [long-established] tradition of the Jewish elders). ⁴ And when they returned from the open shopping markets they refused to eat [anything] until they washed themselves [or “it,” that is, the food, thoroughly]. There were also many other traditions which they [strictly] observed, like washing cups, pots and copper kettles [thoroughly].) [Note: The most accurate Greek manuscripts do not add “and beds” in this verse]. ⁵ The Pharisees and experts in the law of Moses asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples not live according to the traditions of the Jewish elders, but [instead] eat their food with contaminated [i.e., ceremonially unwashed] hands?”

⁸ You disregard the commandment of God and [yet] hang onto the traditions of men.”

²⁴ The man looked up and said, “ [Yes], I see people, but they look like trees walking around.” ²⁵ Then Jesus again placed His hands on his eyes; the man stared intently, then his sight was [completely] restored and he was able to see everything clearly.

³⁰ Was the immersion of John [authorized] from heaven or from men? Give me an answer.” ³¹ So, they discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘from heaven’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe his message?’

⁶ The owner had one more person [left to send], his dearly loved son. [So] he sent him to them last of all, reasoning to himself, ‘ [Surely] they will treat my son with respect.’

¹⁴ And when they arrived, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and [that you] do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone. For you do not allow [the position of] any person to influence you, but teach the truth about God’s way. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

³⁴ It is like a man who left his house on a trip to another country. [Before leaving] he put his servants in charge of his affairs, giving each one a [particular] job to do, then he ordered the gatekeeper to stay alert [i.e., while he was gone].

¹⁶ The person who believes [i.e., the Gospel] and is immersed will be saved [i.e., from condemnation], but whoever does not believe it will be condemned.

¹⁹ So then, after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them He was taken up to heaven, where He sat down at the right side of God. ²⁰ And the apostles [See verses 14-15] went out and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them and confirmed the message [i.e., verified that it was true] by means of the [miraculous] signs which accompanied their ministry. May it be so.

¹⁶ And he will influence many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ He will go on ahead of the Messiah [See verse 76], in the spirit and power of Elijah, to rekindle the affections of fathers for their children, and [to influence] disobedient people to live wisely like righteous people. And he will prepare the people to be ready for [the coming of] the Lord.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have never had sex with a man?”

⁷⁶ Yes, you [my] child [i.e., John], will be called the prophet of the Highest [i.e., God], for you will go ahead of the Lord’s presence to prepare His ways.

¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for look, I am bringing good news that will cause great joy to all people.

¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for look, I am bringing good news that will cause great joy to all people. ¹¹ For a Savior has been born today in David’s city [i.e., Bethlehem], who is Christ the Lord [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].

¹¹ For a Savior has been born today in David’s city [i.e., Bethlehem], who is Christ the Lord [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]. ¹² And this is the sign [that will verify it] to you: You will find a baby wrapped in [linen] cloths lying in an animal’s feeding trough.” ¹³ Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a large number of the heavenly “army” [i.e., of angels], who were praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “May there be glory to God in the highest [heavens], and may there be peace on earth among men who are pleasing to God.”

¹⁴ “May there be glory to God in the highest [heavens], and may there be peace on earth among men who are pleasing to God.”

³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation [i.e., Jesus],

⁴⁶ And it happened after three days that they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the middle of the [Jewish] teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

⁴ This was according to what is written in the book containing the words of Isaiah, the prophet [Isa. 40:3ff], “The voice of a man who speaks out in the desert [urging people] to make the road for the Lord ready [for Him to travel]; to make a straight pathway for Him [to walk on]. ⁵ Every valley will be filled up and every mountain and hill will be leveled. And crooked [roads] will become straight and rough ones smoothed out. ⁶ And all mankind will see the salvation of God [i.e., become available to them].”

⁶ And all mankind will see the salvation of God [i.e., become available to them].” ⁷ He said to the crowds of people that went out [to the desert] to be immersed by him, “You children of snakes, who warned you to run away from the coming wrath [of God]?

¹⁹ But because he had rebuked Herod, the tetrarch, for [marrying] his brother’s wife Herodias, and for all the other bad things he had done, ²⁰ to top it off, Herod put John in prison.

¹⁸ “The Holy Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me [i.e., specially chose me] to preach good news to poor people. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to those who are captives [i.e., to sin]; recovery of sight to the [spiritually as well as physically] blind; to set free those who are oppressed [i.e., by Satan] and

⁴³ For there is no healthy tree that produces bad fruit; nor is there a diseased tree that produces wholesome fruit. ⁴⁴ For each tree is recognized by its own fruit. For people do not harvest figs from thorn bushes, nor grapes from a brier bush.

⁷ Now when King Herod, the tetrarch [i.e., governor of that district] heard about all that was happening [concerning Jesus], he was perplexed because some people were saying that John [the Immerser] had risen from the dead; ⁸ some [were saying] that [the prophet] Elijah had appeared; and [still] others [were saying] that one of the [other] prophets of old had risen again [from the dead]. ⁹ Then Herod said, “I had John decapitated, so who is this person about whom I hear such things?” And he became eager to see Jesus.

⁵⁶ for the Son of man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them”}} So, they went to another village.

¹¹ ‘We are wiping off even the dust of your city that has stuck to our feet [in protest] against you. Yet you should know this, that the kingdom of God has come near [to you].’ ¹² I tell you, the people of Sodom will be shown more leniency on that day [i.e., the day of judgment] than that town will receive. ¹³ “It is too bad for you, Chorazin! It is too bad for you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which were performed in your presence, they would have repented long ago by sitting in ashes and wearing sackcloth. [Note: This sackcloth was a coarse cloth made of goat hair and indicated deep remorse or mourning]. ¹⁴ But Tyre and Sidon will be shown more leniency in the judgment [day] than you will. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up [as high] as heaven? [Certainly not], you will be brought down to the unseen place of departed spirits [i.e., you will become obscure or obliterated as a city]. ¹⁶ The person who listens to you, [actually] listens to me. And the person who rejects you, [actually] rejects me. And the person who rejects me, [actually] rejects Him who sent me [i.e., God].”

²² Everything has been handed over to me by my Father and no one knows the Son except the Father. And [no one knows] the Father except the Son and whatever person the Son wants to reveal Him to.”

⁴⁵ Then one of the teachers of the law of Moses answered Jesus, saying, “Teacher, you insulted us too by saying this.”

⁴⁷ And that slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not make preparations [i.e., for his master’s return], or do what his master wanted, will be whipped with many lashes.

³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives], you [too] will all be destroyed just as they were.

⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you [too] will all be destroyed just as they were.”

²⁴ “You should try hard to enter [God’s kingdom] by means of the narrow door, for I tell you, many people will try to enter it but will not be able to.

⁶ And when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I found my sheep that was lost.’

¹⁴ Then the Pharisees, who loved money, heard these things and sneered at Jesus.

³¹ Then Jesus took the twelve apostles with Him, saying to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem and [while there] everything written in [the writings of] the prophets will be fulfilled concerning the Son of man. ³² For He will be turned over to the [unconverted] Gentiles, and will be mocked, and insulted and spit on. ³³ [The Romans] will flog Him and kill Him, but on the third day He will rise again [from the dead].”

¹⁰ For the Son of man came to search for and save those who were lost.”

¹³ Then Pilate called together the leading priests, the [Jewish] leaders and the people,

²⁰ And the leading priests and our leaders turned him over to be sentenced to death and had him crucified.

²⁶ Was it not necessary for the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] to suffer these things, and [then] to enter His glorious state [with the Father]?” ²⁷ Then, beginning from [the writings of] Moses and all the prophets, Jesus explained to the two men about the things referring to Himself [contained] in all these Scripture passages.

⁴⁴ Then Jesus said to the apostles, “These are the words that I told you while I was still with you, [when I said] that everything written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms about me needed to be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then He opened their minds [miraculously ?] so they would understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ And He said to them, “This is what was written: The Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] will suffer, and [then] rise again from the dead on the third day.

¹ The Word [already] existed in the beginning [of time]. [Note: This is a reference to the preexistence of Jesus. See verse 14]. And the Word was with God and the Word was [what] God [was]. ² This Word existed with God from the beginning [of time]. ³ Everything came into being through this Word, and apart from Him not a single thing came into being. ⁴ Life existed in Him; and that Life [was what] enlightened mankind [spiritually].

⁴ Life existed in Him; and that Life [was what] enlightened mankind [spiritually]. ⁵ And [His] light continued to shine, [even] in the darkness [of the world], and that darkness did not overcome Him [or, did not fully understand Him].

⁵ And [His] light continued to shine, [even] in the darkness [of the world], and that darkness did not overcome Him [or, did not fully understand Him]. ⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John [the Immerser]. ⁷ He came to be a witness, so that he might testify concerning that Light, so that all people would believe [in Jesus] through him [i.e., through his testimony. See Acts 19:4].

⁷ He came to be a witness, so that he might testify concerning that Light, so that all people would believe [in Jesus] through him [i.e., through his testimony. See Acts 19:4]. ⁸ He himself was not that Light, but came [only] to testify concerning that Light. ⁹ [Now] the true Light, who enlightens all mankind, was [indeed] coming into the world [i.e., to earth].

⁹ [Now] the true Light, who enlightens all mankind, was [indeed] coming into the world [i.e., to earth].

⁹ [Now] the true Light, who enlightens all mankind, was [indeed] coming into the world [i.e., to earth]. ¹⁰ [Actually] He was in the world [already], for the world came into being through Him, but the world did not acknowledge Him.

¹⁰ [Actually] He was in the world [already], for the world came into being through Him, but the world did not acknowledge Him. ¹¹ [Then] He came to His own [world, while on earth], but His own [people, the Israelites] did not welcome Him.

¹¹ [Then] He came to His own [world, while on earth], but His own [people, the Israelites] did not welcome Him.

¹¹ [Then] He came to His own [world, while on earth], but His own [people, the Israelites] did not welcome Him. ¹² But He gave all those who did welcome Him the opportunity of becoming children of God by believing in His name [i.e., as the Messiah].

¹² But He gave all those who did welcome Him the opportunity of becoming children of God by believing in His name [i.e., as the Messiah]. ¹³ [Such people] were born of God, not of blood ties [i.e., from physical descendants], nor of the will of the flesh [i.e., merely from a sexual desire], nor of the will of man [i.e., from a husband’s desire for offspring].

¹³ [Such people] were born of God, not of blood ties [i.e., from physical descendants], nor of the will of the flesh [i.e., merely from a sexual desire], nor of the will of man [i.e., from a husband’s desire for offspring]. ¹⁴ [Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth.

¹⁴ [Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth. ¹⁵ John gave testimony about Jesus, shouting out, “This person is the one about whom I said, ‘He who will come after me ranks above me because He existed before me.’” ¹⁶ For we have all received from His full richness one favor after another.

¹⁸ No one has ever seen God [i.e., His full splendor], but God, the only conceived [and eventually born Son], who is at the Father’s side, has shown us who He is.

²⁰ Then he declared openly, without denying it, “I am not the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].”

²³ He replied, “I am the voice of a man who is calling out in the desert, [urging people to] ‘Make the road for the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said, [Isa. 40:3].”

²⁵ They asked him, “Why do you immerse people then, if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the prophet [Moses]?” ²⁶ So, John answered them, saying, “I am immersing people in water, but there is Someone among you whom you do not recognize. ²⁷ He is the One who will follow my ministry; [and] I do not deserve to untie his sandal lace.”

²⁷ He is the One who will follow my ministry; [and] I do not deserve to untie his sandal lace.” ²⁸ These things happened in Bethany on the east side of the Jordan River where John was immersing people. [Note: This was a different Bethany from the one just outside of Jerusalem]. ²⁹ On the next day John [the Immerser] saw Jesus approaching him and said, “Look, [there is] the Lamb of God; He [will] take away the sin of the people of the world.

²⁹ On the next day John [the Immerser] saw Jesus approaching him and said, “Look, [there is] the Lamb of God; He [will] take away the sin of the people of the world. ³⁰ He is the One about whom I said, ‘A man will come after me who ranks above me, for He existed before me.’

³⁰ He is the One about whom I said, ‘A man will come after me who ranks above me, for He existed before me.’ ³¹ And I would not have recognized Him, but I came immersing people in water so that He would become known to the Israelites.” ³² So, John gave his testimony, saying, “I have seen the Holy Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and it remained on Him. ³³ And I did not recognize Him, but He [i.e., God], who sent me to immerse in water, said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Holy Spirit descending and remaining is the same One who [will] immerse people in the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ And I have seen and given testimony that this person is the Son of God.” ³⁵ Then on the following day John was standing [there] again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ And when he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, [there is] the Lamb of God!”

³⁸ Then Jesus turned and saw them following [Him] and said to them, “What are you looking for?” And they answered Him, “Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?”

⁴⁷ [As] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, He said [this] about him, “Look, [there is] a true Israelite, a completely honest man!”

⁵¹ Then Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened up and the angels of God going up [from] and coming down on the Son of man” [i.e., probably a reference to angels ministering to Jesus’ needs. See Matt. 4:6, 11; Luke 22:43].

⁶ Now there were six clay water jars there, used by the Jews for ceremonial washings [i.e., for hands, utensils, etc.]. Each one held from 17 to 26 gallons.

¹³ Now the Jewish Passover Festival was soon [to be held], so Jesus went up to Jerusalem [to attend it].

² This man went to Jesus one night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we [i.e., speaking of himself and other Jewish leaders] know that you are a Teacher sent from God, for no one could perform these [miraculous] signs that you are doing unless God were with Him.” ³ Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above [Note: The words “from above” are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean “again,” or “anew” and refer to the source of a person’s second birth]. ⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born [again] after he is [already] old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” ⁵ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit.

⁵ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit. ⁶ Whoever is born from human parents is a human being; and whoever is born from the Holy Spirit is a spiritual being.

⁸ The wind blows wherever it wants to, and you can hear the sound of it, without knowing where it came from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born from the Holy Spirit.”

¹⁰ Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of the Israelites and [yet] you do not understand these things? ¹¹ Truly, truly, I tell you, we [i.e., Jesus and His disciples] speak about what we know, and testify about what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe [it], how will you believe [it] if I tell you about heavenly things?

¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe [it], how will you believe [it] if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ And no one has gone up to heaven except the One who has come down from heaven, [even] the Son of man. {{Most translations do not contain the added words “who is in heaven”}}.

¹³ And no one has gone up to heaven except the One who has come down from heaven, [even] the Son of man. {{Most translations do not contain the added words “who is in heaven”}}.

¹³ And no one has gone up to heaven except the One who has come down from heaven, [even] the Son of man. {{Most translations do not contain the added words “who is in heaven”}}. ¹⁴ And [just] like Moses lifted up the snake [on the pole] in the wilderness [Num. 21:9], so the Son of man must be lifted up [on the cross] ¹⁵ so that whoever believes in Him would have never ending life.” [Note: Some translations extend Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus through verse 21].

¹⁵ so that whoever believes in Him would have never ending life.” [Note: Some translations extend Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus through verse 21].

¹⁵ so that whoever believes in Him would have never ending life.” [Note: Some translations extend Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus through verse 21]. ¹⁶ For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life.

¹⁶ For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life.

¹⁶ For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge [i.e., to condemn it], but [rather] so that the people of the world could be saved [from condemnation] though Him.

¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge [i.e., to condemn it], but [rather] so that the people of the world could be saved [from condemnation] though Him.

²⁶ These disciples went to John and said to him, “Rabbi, look, that man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan River [i.e., Jesus], whom you testified about, is immersing people and everyone is going to him.” [Note: Actually, it was Jesus’ disciples who did the immersing. See 4:2].

³¹ The One who comes from above [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]; but the one who is out of the earth [i.e., of human origin] is [merely] an earthly [being] and he speaks in earthly [ways]. [But] the One who comes from heaven [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others].

³¹ The One who comes from above [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]; but the one who is out of the earth [i.e., of human origin] is [merely] an earthly [being] and he speaks in earthly [ways]. [But] the One who comes from heaven [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]. ³² He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony.

³² He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. ³³ The person who has accepted Jesus’ testimony has confirmed this [fact], that God is truthful.

³³ The person who has accepted Jesus’ testimony has confirmed this [fact], that God is truthful.

³³ The person who has accepted Jesus’ testimony has confirmed this [fact], that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse].

³⁴ For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse]. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hands [See Eph. 1:20-22]. ³⁶ The person who believes in the Son has never ending life, but the person who disobeys the Son will not see life [i.e., will not experience never ending life], but [instead], God’s wrath remains on him.

³⁶ The person who believes in the Son has never ending life, but the person who disobeys the Son will not see life [i.e., will not experience never ending life], but [instead], God’s wrath remains on him.

¹ Therefore, when the Lord [Jesus] knew that the Pharisees were aware of Him making and immersing more disciples than John, ² (OMITTED TEXT) ³ He left Judea and returned to Galilee. (Although it was actually His disciples who did the immersing and not Jesus Himself).

¹¹ The woman [then] said to Him, “Sir, you do not have anything to draw [water] with, and the well is deep. Where will you get that living water? ¹² Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us this well? He himself and his sons and cattle [all] drank from it.”

²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him everything that He Himself does; and He will show Him [even] greater deeds [i.e., more extensive in scope] than these [i.e., than merely healing a crippled man], so that you people will be amazed. ²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them [renewed] life [for their bodies ?], even so the Son also gives [renewed] life to [the spirits ?] of whoever He wants to. ²² For the Father does not judge anyone, but He has given [full responsibility for] judging people to His Son,

²² For the Father does not judge anyone, but He has given [full responsibility for] judging people to His Son, ²³ so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The person who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. ²⁴ “Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who listens to my message and believes [in] the One who sent me [i.e., God] has never ending life [i.e., as a hope. See Titus 1:2; 3:7]. He will not be judged [and condemned], but has [already] passed from being [spiritually] dead to being [spiritually] alive.

²⁴ “Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who listens to my message and believes [in] the One who sent me [i.e., God] has never ending life [i.e., as a hope. See Titus 1:2; 3:7]. He will not be judged [and condemned], but has [already] passed from being [spiritually] dead to being [spiritually] alive. ²⁵ Truly, truly, I tell you, the time is coming, and is now [actually] here, when those who are [spiritually] dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear [i.e., and heed His message] will have [spiritual] life. ²⁶ For [just] as the Father is Himself [the source of] life, in the same way He gave to His Son also [the power] to be [the source of] life.

²⁸ “Do not be surprised at this: The time is coming when all those who are in their graves will hear His voice

³¹ If I testify about myself, my testimony is not [considered] true. ³² [But] there is Someone else [i.e., God] who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony He gives about me is true. ³³ “You people have sent to John [the Immerser, for information. See 1:19] and he has given true testimony [about me]. ³⁴ But I do not rely on the testimony of men about me; therefore I tell you these things so you will be saved [i.e., from condemning judgment. See verse 29]. ³⁵ John was the lamp that was burning and glowing and you people were willing to enjoy the light that he projected for awhile. ³⁶ But my testimony is greater than John’s. For the deeds the Father has given me to complete, the very deeds I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.

³⁶ But my testimony is greater than John’s. For the deeds the Father has given me to complete, the very deeds I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. ³⁷ And the Father who sent me testifies concerning me. You people have never heard His voice nor seen His form. ³⁸ And you do not keep His message living in your [hearts], for you do not believe [in] the One whom God sent [i.e., in Jesus].

³⁸ And you do not keep His message living in your [hearts], for you do not believe [in] the One whom God sent [i.e., in Jesus]. ³⁹ You search through the Scriptures [i.e., the Old Testament], because you think that you will [learn how to] have never ending life by [reading] them. And these Scriptures are what testify concerning me.

³⁹ You search through the Scriptures [i.e., the Old Testament], because you think that you will [learn how to] have never ending life by [reading] them. And these Scriptures are what testify concerning me. ⁴⁰ But you do not want to come to me [i.e., to believe in me. See verse 38] so that you will have [never ending] life.

⁴³ I have come in my Father’s name [i.e., by His authority] and you do not accept me. If someone else comes in his own name [i.e., by his own authority], you will accept him. ⁴⁴ How can you believe [in me] when you [offer and] accept honors from one another, but do not try to obtain the honor that comes from the only God? ⁴⁵ “Do not think that I will accuse you [of wrongdoing] before the Father; Moses, on whom you have set your hope [i.e., you base your acceptance with God on the promises found in Moses’ writings], he is the one who accuses you [i.e., in his writings].

²⁷ Do not work for the [kind of] food that spoils, but for the kind that lasts until never ending life. The Son of man will give you this [kind of food], for God the Father has placed His seal [of approval] on Him.”

²⁹ Jesus answered them, “This is the deed that God requires: You should believe in Him whom God has sent [i.e., in Jesus].”

³³ For the bread God gives is the One [see verse 35] who comes down from heaven, and [He] gives [spiritual] life to the world.”

³⁸ For I have come down from heaven to do what God, who sent me, wants me to do, not what I want to do.

⁴⁰ And this is what [else] my Father wants: That every person who sees the Son [i.e., with the eye of faith] and believes in Him should have never ending life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.”

⁴² And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

⁴⁶ [I am] not [saying] that anyone has [ever] seen the Father, except the One who is from God [i.e., Jesus] has seen Him. ⁴⁷ Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes [in me] has never ending life. [See note on 5:24].

⁴⁷ Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes [in me] has never ending life. [See note on 5:24]. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your forefathers ate the ‘manna’ in the desert and died. ⁵⁰ [But] this is the bread that has come down from heaven [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself], so that a person who eats of it [i.e., believes in Jesus] will not die [spiritually]. ⁵¹ I am the living bread who came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. Yes, and the bread that I will give [him] is my physical body, [so] that the world can have [never ending] life.”

⁵¹ I am the living bread who came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. Yes, and the bread that I will give [him] is my physical body, [so] that the world can have [never ending] life.” ⁵² Then the Jews [who were assembled in the synagogue. See verse 59] began arguing bitterly with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his physical body to eat?”

⁵² Then the Jews [who were assembled in the synagogue. See verse 59] began arguing bitterly with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his physical body to eat?” ⁵³ So, Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the physical body of the Son of man and drink His blood, you do not have [spiritual] life in yourselves [Note: The references to “body” and “blood” throughout this section allude to taking Jesus’ life and teaching into one’s heart. See verse 56].

⁵³ So, Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the physical body of the Son of man and drink His blood, you do not have [spiritual] life in yourselves [Note: The references to “body” and “blood” throughout this section allude to taking Jesus’ life and teaching into one’s heart. See verse 56]. ⁵⁴ The person who eats my physical body and drinks my blood has never ending life [See note on 5:24], and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day [i.e., the judgment day].

⁵⁷ Just as the living Father has sent me, and I have [physical and spiritual] life because of the Father, so the person who eats me will also have [physical ? and spiritual] life because of me.

⁶⁰ So, when they heard [these things], many of Jesus’ disciples said, “This is difficult teaching. Who can listen to it [i.e., and accept it]?” ⁶¹ But Jesus, knowing within Himself that His disciples were complaining about His teaching, said to them, “Does this [teaching] bother you? ⁶² Then what if you were to see the Son of man going up [i.e., to heaven] where He was before?

⁶² Then what if you were to see the Son of man going up [i.e., to heaven] where He was before? ⁶³ It is the Holy Spirit who [Note: The Greek word here is “that” instead of “who”] gives life [i.e., understanding the spiritual nature of Jesus’ teaching can produce spiritual life]; the flesh is of no value [i.e., understanding Jesus’ teaching only in a physical sense makes it worthless]. The words I have spoken to you are [from the] Holy Spirit and [they give] life.

³ Then Jesus’ [half-] brothers said to Him, “You should leave here and go to Judea so your disciples [there] can see the [supernatural] deeds you are performing.

⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about its deeds, that they are evil.

¹⁶ So, Jesus answered them, “What I am teaching is not mine, but [it belongs] to Him who sent me [i.e., to God]. ¹⁷ If anyone [really] desires to do what God wants, he will know whether my teaching comes from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority [only].

²⁹ I know Him because I came from Him, for He sent me.”

³¹ But many people in the crowd believed in Him, saying, “When the Messiah does come, will he perform more [miraculous] signs than this man has done?”

³⁷ Now on the last and greatest day of the Festival [of Tabernacles], Jesus stood up and spoke out, “If anyone is thirsty he should come to me for a drink. ³⁸ As the Scripture has recorded [Note: The following is not an exact quotation from the OT, but echoes Isa. 58:11 and Zech. 14:8], ‘Streams of life-giving water will flow from the person’s heart who believes in me.’” ³⁹ Now He said this about the Holy Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive [See Acts 2:38]. For [at that time] the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet received splendor [in heaven].

⁴⁷ The Pharisees replied, “Are you being led astray, too? ⁴⁸ Have any of the authorities or Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹ But this crowd, which does not know the law of Moses, [and especially its oral traditions], is cursed [by God].” ⁵⁰ [Now] Nicodemus (being a leading Pharisee, and the one who went to talk to Jesus one night), said to them,

⁵⁰ [Now] Nicodemus (being a leading Pharisee, and the one who went to talk to Jesus one night), said to them, ⁵¹ “Does our law pass judgment on a man before first hearing from him and learning what he did?”

¹² So, Jesus spoke to them again [i.e., to the Jewish authorities. See 7:45], saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who becomes my follower will never live in [spiritual] darkness, but have the light of [i.e., for his] life [i.e., followers of Jesus will not live in error and sin but in truth and righteousness].”

¹⁴ Jesus replied to them, “Even if I do give testimony about myself, it is [still] true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you people do not know where I came from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You pass judgment according to human standards; I do not judge anyone [i.e., the way you do it]. ¹⁶ And even if I do pass judgment, my judgment is true because I am not alone, for the Father who sent me is with me.

²³ Jesus replied, “You people are from below [i.e., from the earthly realm]; I am from above [i.e., from the heavenly realm]. You belong to this world; I do not belong to this world.

²⁶ I have many things to say about you and [many] judgments to pass on you. However, God, who sent me, is truthful and I am telling the world [only] the things I have heard from Him.”

²⁶ I have many things to say about you and [many] judgments to pass on you. However, God, who sent me, is truthful and I am telling the world [only] the things I have heard from Him.” ²⁷ The people [who heard this] did not understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father. ²⁸ So, Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of man [i.e., to crucify Him], then you will know that I am [the Messiah] and that I do not do anything on my own authority, but I speak [only] those things that the Father has taught me.

²⁸ So, Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of man [i.e., to crucify Him], then you will know that I am [the Messiah] and that I do not do anything on my own authority, but I speak [only] those things that the Father has taught me.

²⁸ So, Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of man [i.e., to crucify Him], then you will know that I am [the Messiah] and that I do not do anything on my own authority, but I speak [only] those things that the Father has taught me. ²⁹ And God, who sent me, is with me; He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to Him.”

³⁸ I am telling [you] about what I have seen in my Father’s presence; but you [should] do what you have heard from your father.”

⁴⁰ But instead, you are trying to kill me, a man who has [only] told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this [kind of thing].

⁴² Jesus replied, “If God were [truly] your Father you would love me, because I came from God to be here. For I did not come on my own authority, but God sent me.

⁴⁴ You belong to your father the devil, and you are [always] wanting to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the [very] beginning [Note: This is probably a reference to Satan’s influence on Adam, Eve and Cain in the Garden of Eden] and does not stand for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he only speaks what is part of his nature, because he is a liar and the father of [all] liars. ⁴⁵ But because I tell [you] the truth, you do not believe me.

⁴⁷ The person who belongs to God listens to the message from God. The reason you will not listen to it is because you do not belong to God.”

⁵¹ Truly, truly, I tell you, if a person obeys my message, he will never die [i.e., spiritually].”

¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees then said, “The man who did this is not from God, because he does not observe the Sabbath day. But other people said, “How could a man who is a sinner do such [miraculous] signs?” And the people were divided among themselves [over the issue].

³⁰ The man replied, “Is not that strange! You do not know where he came from and yet he restored my sight! [Note: The next sentence may be the beggar stating the Pharisees’ argument. See verse 24]. ³¹ We know that God does not listen to sinners [i.e., when they pray]; but God does listen to the person who reveres Him and does what He wants. ³² It has never been heard of, since the world was created, that anyone has restored sight to a man born blind. ³³ Unless this man came from God, he would not be able to do anything [like this].”

³⁹ And Jesus said, “I came to this world to judge [it], so that people who can not see [spiritually] will [be able to] see; and those who [think they can] see [spiritually] will become blind.” ⁴⁰ Some Pharisees, who were with Jesus, heard [Him say] these things, and replied, “Are we blind, too?” ⁴¹ Jesus said to them, “If you were [really] blind [i.e., unable to see spiritually], you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim, ‘We can see [fine],’ you remain guilty of sin.”

²⁶ But you do not believe me, because you are not [part] of my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them never ending life and they will never be destroyed, and no one will [be able to] steal them out of my hand.

²⁸ I give them never ending life and they will never be destroyed, and no one will [be able to] steal them out of my hand. ²⁹ What my Father has given me [i.e., my sheep] are greater than everything [else], and no one is able to steal them from the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

³⁶ how can you people say to Him, whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are speaking abusively [i.e., about God],’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? He is the One whom the Father set apart [i.e., for His service] and sent into the world.

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the person who believes in me will live on, even though he dies [physically]. ²⁶ And whoever goes on living and believing in me, will never die [spiritually]. Do you believe this?”

⁴² I know that you always hear me, but I said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so they would believe that you sent me.”

⁴⁷ So, the leading priests and the Pharisees assembled the Council [Note: This was the Jewish governing body called “the Sanhedrin”] and said, “What should we do, for this man is performing many [miraculous] signs? ⁴⁸ If we allow him to go on [doing this], everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy our Temple and our nation [i.e., its people].”

⁴⁸ If we allow him to go on [doing this], everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy our Temple and our nation [i.e., its people].”

¹⁹ So, the Pharisees were saying among themselves, “Look, you men are getting nowhere [in this situation]. See, the [whole] world has gone after him.”

³² And if I am lifted up from the earth [i.e., on the cross], I will draw [i.e., attract] all people to me.” ³³ Now He said this to indicate the kind of death He was about to experience [i.e., of being lifted up on a cross]. ³⁴ Then the crowd replied to Him, “We have heard from [the writings of] the law of Moses that the Christ will live forever; so how can you say, ‘The son of man must be lifted up [i.e., to die]?’ Who is this son of man?”

³⁷ But [even] though Jesus had performed so many [miraculous] signs in front of the people, still they did not believe in Him.

³⁷ But [even] though Jesus had performed so many [miraculous] signs in front of the people, still they did not believe in Him. ³⁸ This was so that these words, which Isaiah the prophet had spoken, would be fulfilled [Isa. 53:1], “Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the Lord’s power been shown to?”

⁴⁰ “God has blinded their eyes [of understanding] and closed their minds. If He had not done so, they would [be able to] see with their eyes and understand with their minds and turn [to God] so He could heal them [spiritually].”

⁴² However, even many [Jewish] leaders believed in Him, but did not admit it, for fear of being expelled from the synagogue. ⁴³ For they loved the honor they received from people more than the honor they [could] receive from God.

⁴³ For they loved the honor they received from people more than the honor they [could] receive from God. ⁴⁴ Then Jesus spoke out in a loud voice, “The person who believes in me, does not [only] believe in me, but [also] in Him who sent me [i.e., God]. ⁴⁵ And the person who sees me, sees Him who sent me [also]. ⁴⁶ I have come into the world to be a light [to it], so that whoever believes in me would not have to remain in [spiritual] darkness. ⁴⁷ And if any person hears my message and does not obey it, I will not judge him [now], for I did not come into the world to judge it, but to save it. ⁴⁸ The person who rejects me and does not accept my message has One who [will] judge him. The message that I have spoken will judge him on the last day [i.e., the judgment day]. ⁴⁹ For I did not speak from myself [i.e., on my own authority], but the Father Himself, who sent me, has ordered me what to say and speak.

³ Jesus, who knew that the Father had given Him complete authority, [also] knew that He had come from God and was [about] to return to God.

²⁴ The person who does not love me will not obey my teaching. And the message you are hearing is not mine, but belongs to the Father, who sent me.

⁴ Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains united to the vine, so neither can you people [bear fruit] unless you remain united to me. ⁵ “I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if [you are] separated from me.

⁹ “Just as the Father has loved me, [so] I have also loved you. You should continue to receive [or, respond to] my love. [Note: The next verse tells how this can be done].

¹⁵ I do not call you slaves anymore, for a slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have told you everything that I heard from my Father.

²² They would not be guilty of sinning if I had not come and spoken to them. But now [that I have], they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ The person who hates me, hates my Father also. ²⁴ If I had not performed the [miraculous] deeds among them which no one else had done, they would not be guilty of sinning. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.

²⁴ If I had not performed the [miraculous] deeds among them which no one else had done, they would not be guilty of sinning. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. ²⁵ This all happened so the Scripture, written in their law [Psa. 35:19], would be fulfilled, ‘They hated me for no reason.’ ²⁶ “But the Helper will come, that is, the Holy Spirit of truth [i.e., who reveals truth]. He comes from the Father and I will send Him to you from the Father. [When He comes] He will give testimony about me.

⁷ Yet I am telling you the truth: It will be helpful to you for me to go away. For unless I go, the Helper [i.e., the Holy Spirit] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.

²⁴ Up until now you have not asked for anything in my name. [So now] ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.

²⁷ for the Father Himself loves you [i.e., and will grant your requests without my persuasion], because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. ²⁸ I came from the Father into this world and now I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.”

²⁸ I came from the Father into this world and now I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.” ²⁹ [Then] Jesus’ disciples said [to Him], “Look, you are speaking plainly now, and not in figurative language. ³⁰ Now we realize that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you [questions]. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

³³ I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world.”

² Just as you gave Him authority over all mankind, He will give never ending life to all those people [Note: The Greek word here is neuter gender, “all those things”] you have given Him.

² Just as you gave Him authority over all mankind, He will give never ending life to all those people [Note: The Greek word here is neuter gender, “all those things”] you have given Him. ³ And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent.

³ And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent.

⁵ And now, Father, honor me in your presence with the honor I had with you before the world was [created].

⁸ because I have given them the message you gave me, and they accepted it. They [also] knew for certain that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

¹³ But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things [while still] in the world, so that they [i.e., the apostles] may have my joy within them in all its fullness.

²¹ [I pray] that all of them may be one, just as you, Father, are [one] in [fellowship with] me, and I [am one] in [fellowship with] you, so that they also may be [one] in [fellowship with] us in order that the world may [see it and] believe that you sent me.

²³ I in them, and you in me, so that they may be completely one. [This is] so the world will know that you sent me and that you love them just as you love me.

²⁶ And I declared your name to them and I will continue to declare it, so that the love you have for me will be in them [also], and that I [will be] in them.”

³⁸ After this happened, one of Jesus’ disciples (but secretly, for fear of the Jews), named Joseph from Arimathaea, asked Pilate if he could remove Jesus’ body [from the cross]. Pilate granted him permission, so he went and removed the body from the cross. ³⁹ Nicodemus, the man who first came to Jesus one night, also went with him [i.e., to claim Jesus’ body]. He brought about a seventy-five pound mixture of myrrh and aloes [i.e., aromatic spices used for embalming].

³⁹ Nicodemus, the man who first came to Jesus one night, also went with him [i.e., to claim Jesus’ body]. He brought about a seventy-five pound mixture of myrrh and aloes [i.e., aromatic spices used for embalming].

¹⁶ [Then] Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward Him and replied in the Hebrew language, “Rabboni,” which means “Teacher.”

²¹ Jesus said to them again, “May there be peace in your hearts. Just as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

³¹ But these [signs] are written down so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that when you believe [this], you will have [never ending] life in His name [i.e., through His person and work].

² Suddenly a rushing sound, like a fierce wind blowing, came from the sky above them, and [its noise] filled the entire house where they were sitting.

²² "You people of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God [demonstrated] His approval of by powerful deeds, miracles and [supernatural] signs which He accomplished through Jesus in your very presence --- and you all know this! ²³ Yet, He was handed over to you so that, by lawless men [i.e., the Romans], He was put to death by crucifixion. Now this was all done in harmony with God's full pre-knowledge and [divine] purpose.

³⁴ Now David is not the one who ascended into heaven for he [spoke of Jesus when he] said [Psa. 110:1], 'The Lord [i.e., God] said to my [i.e., David's] Lord [i.e., Jesus], sit at my right side

³⁸ And Peter replied, "Every one of you must repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives] and be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ [i.e., by His authority] so that your sins will be forgiven [by God] and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [to live in your hearts].

¹⁹ Therefore, you people [must] repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives] and turn [back] again [to God] so that your sins will be blotted out and so that you may enjoy times of [spiritual] refreshment from the presence of the Lord [i.e., through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit].

¹⁶ saying, "What should we do to these men? For we cannot deny that a significant miracle was performed by them, and everybody living in Jerusalem knows it. ¹⁷ But we do not want this [teaching] to spread any further so let us threaten them [and demand] that they do not speak to anyone about Jesus anymore."

²⁷ For [truly] it was both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, who gathered together in this city [of Jerusalem] against your Holy Servant Jesus ²⁸ to do what your plan and wisdom predetermined should happen.

³¹ And after they had prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and these disciples were all filled with [the power of] the Holy Spirit and they were able to speak the message of God with boldness.

³⁶ As they [i.e., Philip, the Ethiopian eunuch and his attendants] traveled along they came to a certain [body of] water. The [Ethiopian] eunuch said, "Look, here is [a body of] water, why can’t I be immersed [right now]?" {{Verse

³⁶ He sent His message [first] to the Israelites; [it involved] preaching the good news through Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all).

³⁸ This message was about Jesus from Nazareth and how God specially chose Him [and signified it] by giving Him the Holy Spirit and power. He traveled all over doing good [for people] and healing everyone who was [being] oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

³⁶ For David died and was buried with his forefathers and [his body] decayed after he had served his generation according to the purpose of God. ³⁷ But Jesus, whom God raised up [from the dead], never did decay.

⁴¹ [Hab. 1:5 says], "Look, you people who despise [God], and be amazed [at what He can do] and be destroyed [for rejecting Him]; for I [i.e., God] will accomplish such a work during your days that you will not believe [it could happen, even] if someone told you about it."

³⁰ After bringing them out [of the jail area] he said, "Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved?" ³¹ Paul and Silas said, "You and your family can be saved if you [all] believe in the Lord Jesus."

¹¹ Now these people [in Berea] had more character than those in Thessalonica because they [not only] received the message with an open mind but [also] examined the [Old Testament] Scriptures every day to see if what they had heard was really true. ¹² Many people therefore became believers [in Christ], including a number of leading Greek women and also a number of men.

²⁶ And now you have seen and heard, not only here in Ephesus, but throughout almost all of [the province of] Asia, that this Paul has been convincing people, [even] to the point of turning many away [from idol worship]. [He is] saying that hand-made gods [like we make] are not real [gods at all]. ²⁷ And not only is there a [real] danger that our trade will be discredited but also that the temple of our great goddess Artemis will be considered worthless and that even she [herself] will be dethroned from her magnificent place of being adored by all [in the province of] Asia and the world."

²⁸ So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.

¹⁸ And I saw [and heard] the Lord saying to me, 'Hurry up, get out of Jerusalem quickly, because the people [here] will reject your testimony about me.'

²¹ However, this one point, which I made when I stood among them [could have been objectionable]: I shouted, 'The reason I am being charged before you today is [my preaching of] the resurrection of the dead.' " ²² But because Felix [felt he] had more accurate knowledge of the "Way" [than was being presented by Paul's accusers], he dismissed them, saying, "When commander Lysias comes down [to Caesarea] I will make a decision on your case." ²³ So, he ordered his officer to keep Paul in custody, yet with some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to his needs. ²⁴ After a number of days, Felix and Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, came [back to the palace] and sent for Paul to [come and] tell them about [the] faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And as he discussed the matters of doing right, and [maintaining] self control and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified and answered, "Go on away for now; I will call you back when it is convenient for me." ²⁶ He had hoped, along with everything else, that he would receive money from Paul, so he sent for him more frequently and had discussions with him.

²³ And when they had arranged a day, large numbers of people came to Paul's house. He explained [everything to them], testifying from morning until evening concerning the kingdom of God and concerning [the Messiahship of] Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from [the writings of] the prophets. ²⁴ And some people believed what Paul said and some refused to believe. ²⁵ And when they could not agree among themselves they left, after hearing Paul make this one [important] statement: "The Holy Spirit has spoken truthfully to your forefathers through Isaiah the prophet, ²⁶ saying, [Isa. 6:9-10], 'Go to these people and say, you will hear all right, but you will not understand [what you hear]. You will see all right, but you will not perceive [what you see]. ²⁷ For these people's minds are dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes. For, if this were not the case, they would perceive what they see with their eyes, and understand what they hear with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and would turn [back to God] again and I [God] would heal them [from their sins].'

⁵ It was through Jesus, and for His name’s sake, that we [i.e., I] received God’s favor to become an apostle, in order to bring about obedience based on faith from among people of all nations.

¹⁷ For the Gospel reveals how a person can be made right with God. It is through faith [in Jesus], from beginning to end, just as it is written [Hab. 2:4], “The righteous person will [obtain] life by [his] faith [in God].” ¹⁸ For God’s extreme anger is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who restrain the truth [from being known and obeyed] by their wickedness.

³² These people know that God’s decrees require that those who practice such things deserve to die [i.e., either spiritual or temporal punishment], yet they not only do the same things [themselves], but even approve of other people who practice them.

⁸ But to the ones who have selfish ambition [Note: Some translate these words “are contentious”] and refuse to obey the truth, but [instead] obey what is wrong, [God will bring] wrath, fury,

²⁸ For that person is not a Jew who is one [merely] on the outside. And circumcision is not [merely] an outward physical ordinance.

³ But what if some [of the Jews] were unfaithful? Does their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? Certainly not! ⁴ But let God be truthful, [even if] everyone [else] is a liar. For it is written [Psa. 51:4], “[God], you should be proven right when you speak, and win [your case] when put on trial.”

⁹ What then? Are we [Jews] any better off [than those Gentiles]? No, not at all, for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] alike are under [the power of] sin, ¹⁰ as it is written [Psa. 14:1ff; 53:1ff], “No one [always] does what is right; not even one person. ¹¹ No one understands [everything]. No one looks to God [all the time]. ¹² Everyone has turned away [from God]. All of them have become worthless. No one is [always] kind; no, not even one person.” ¹³ [Psa. 5:9 says], “Their throats are like open graves [i.e., they are foul-mouthed]. They have spoken deceitfully.” [Psa. 90:3 says], “There is snake venom under their lips [i.e., their words are deadly].” ¹⁴ [Psa. 10:7 says], “Their speech is full of cursing and bitterness.” ¹⁵ [Isa. 59:7ff says], “Their feet [take them where they] are quick to commit murder. ¹⁶ Their pathways are strewn with ruin and misery [i.e., caused by them]. ¹⁷ They have not known [how to walk on] a peaceful pathway.” ¹⁸ [Psa. 36:1 says], “They do not view God with reverence.” ¹⁹ Now we [all] know that everything the law says applies to those who are under [obligation to obey] that law, [Note: Here “the law” appears to refer to the Old Testament Scriptures generally, since Psalms and Isaiah are quoted. See verses 10-18]. This is so that the mouth of every objector may be stopped [i.e., from making excuses for his sin], and thereby bring the entire world under God’s judgment [i.e., both Jews and Gentiles].

¹⁵ For the law brings [God’s] wrath [i.e., because of man’s failure to obey it perfectly], but where there is no law, there is no [responsibility for] sin.

¹⁸ Abraham hoped for what he believed [God had promised], even when there seemed little hope [of it happening], so this made him forefather of many nations, according to the words spoken to him [Gen. 15:5], “Your descendants will be many.” ¹⁹ Abraham’s faith did not become weak [even though] he was about one hundred years old and considered his body almost dead and Sarah’s womb incapable of conceiving a child. ²⁰ Yet he looked for the promise of God [to be fulfilled] and did not waver, doubting [that it would happen], but his faith strengthened him. He honored God ²¹ and was fully convinced that what He had promised, He was able to carry out.

¹ So, since we are made right with God by [our] faith, we have peace with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹ So, since we are made right with God by [our] faith, we have peace with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through Jesus we have also gained access by [our] faith to this unearned favor [of God]. We stand firm in it, and are glad that we have the hope of being honored by God.

⁸ But God demonstrates His own love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹ Since we are now made right with God by the blood of Christ [i.e., by His dying on the cross], how much more certain it is that we will be saved from God’s wrath [in the future] by Him! ¹⁰ For if while we were [God’s] enemies, we were restored to fellowship with Him through the death of His Son, now that we have been restored, how much more [certainly] will we be saved [from condemnation] by His life!

²¹ This was so that just as sin ruled [over mankind], causing [physical] death, even so God’s unearned favor would rule [over mankind], providing [them with] righteousness, and leading to never ending life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

²² But now, since you have been freed from [the practice of] sin and have become slaves to God, the benefits you receive are a holy life [here] and never ending life in the future. ²³ For the wages for sinning is [spiritual] death, but God’s free gift is never ending life in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus our Lord.

⁵ For when we were in the flesh [i.e., before conversion], our sinful desires, aroused by [the restrictions of] the law of Moses, worked in our bodies to produce activity that led to [spiritual] death.

¹⁸ For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh, for the desire to do good is present in my heart, but the ability to carry it out [consistently] is not.

²⁵ Thank God [that I can be rescued] through [the power of] Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, I personally [try to] serve God’s law with my mind, but [all too often] I serve the law of sin with my flesh [i.e., submitting in weakness to my human desires].

¹ Therefore, none of those who are in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus will be condemned. ² For the Holy Spirit’s law which provides [never ending] life for those in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus has freed me from the law that requires [spiritual] death for sinning.

⁴ so that the requirements of the law could be [considered] fulfilled in us, who do not live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, but according to [the promptings of] the Holy Spirit. ⁵ For those people who are [controlled] by the flesh think about [i.e., desire] what the flesh wants; but those who are [controlled] by the Holy Spirit [desire] what the Holy Spirit wants. ⁶ For the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh will suffer [spiritual] death; but the one whose mind is [controlled] by the Holy Spirit will enjoy [never ending] life and peace. ⁷ This is because the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh is an enemy of God; for he is not obedient to God’s law, and in fact, cannot obey it. ⁸ And those people who are living according to the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But if the Spirit of God [truly] lives in your heart, you are not [being controlled] by the flesh, but by the Holy Spirit. But if any person does not have the Spirit of Christ [living in him], he does not belong to Christ.

¹³ for if you people live under [the control of] the flesh, you must die [spiritually]; but if you put to death [i.e., stop practicing] the [sinful] habits of the body by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, you will live [spiritually].

²⁴ For in [this] hope we were saved [i.e., we received the hope of future blessings]; but if we [already] see what we hope for, it is not [really] hope. For who hopes for what he [already] sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we cannot see, then we [must] patiently wait for it [to be received].

³² God did not withhold His own Son [from dying], but offered Him up for all of us. [Since He did that], will He not, along with Jesus, freely give us everything [else] also?

³⁴ Who condemns [us]? Certainly not Jesus, for He is the One who died [i.e., to save us], and what is more, He was raised from the dead and is [now] at the right side of God. He also goes [to God] on our behalf [i.e., as we pray].

⁵ They are descended from our forefathers; they are the ones from whom Christ was born physically. He is God over everything [Note: Or this may be “God is over everything”] and should be praised forever! May it be so.

²² What if God [did] patiently put up with people who deserved His wrath and [who were] ready for destruction, even though He was willing to demonstrate His wrath and power? ²³ [What if He did this] in order to demonstrate His wealth of glory toward people who deserved His mercy, whom He had previously determined should receive [such special] honor? ²⁴ We were these people, whom He called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles. ²⁵ God said this also, in Hosea [2:23], “I [i.e., God] will call those people mine who were not [previously] my people. And [I will call] her ‘dearly loved’ who was not [previously] loved.”

⁶ But the [means of] being made right with God by faith [in Christ] is described in the Scripture this way [Deut. 30:12-13], “Do not ask yourself, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’” (in order to bring Christ down [to earth]).

⁹ So, if you profess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For a person believes [in Christ] with his heart in order to be made right with God, and he makes a profession with his lips in order to be saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says [Isa. 28:16], “Whoever believes in Him [i.e., Christ] will not be put to shame.” [i.e., he will never have unforgiven sin brought up against him] ¹² For there is no distinction [with God] between Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], for all have the same Lord, who is generous to all who appeal to Him [for help]. ¹³ For [Joel 2:32 says], “Every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ] ¹⁴ [But] how can they appeal to Him if they have not [first] believed in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have not [first] heard [about Him]? And how can they hear [about Him] if there is no preacher?

¹⁶ But not everyone [of the Israelites] obeyed [that] good news. For Isaiah said [Isa. 53:1], “Lord, who has believed our message?” ¹⁷ So, faith results from [people] hearing, and [their] hearing results from [the preaching of] the message about Christ. ¹⁸ But I ask, “Did not they [i.e., the Jews] hear [the message]?” Certainly they did! [Psa. 19:4 says], “The sound [of their preaching] went out into all the world, and their message reached to the ends of the earth.” ¹⁹ But I ask [again], “Did not the Israelites understand [the message]?” In the first place, Moses said [Deut. 32:21], “I [i.e., God] will stir up you [Jews] to become jealous, by [favoring] a nation [i.e., the Gentiles] that is unworthy [of your approval]. [I will do it] by using a nation of fools to make you people angry.” ²⁰ Then Isaiah boldly said [Isa. 45:1], “I [i.e., God] was found by a people [i.e., the Gentiles] who were not looking for me. I became known to people who were not asking for me.” ²¹ But Isaiah said about the Israelites [Isa. 40:2], “I reached out all day long to [help] people who disobeyed and spoke against [me].”

² God did not reject His people whom He knew previously. Or, do you not know what the Scriptures say in the passage where Elijah pleads with God against Israel? ³ [I Kings 19:10], “Lord, they [i.e., the Israelites] have killed your prophets and have destroyed your altars; I am the only one left and they are trying to kill me, too.” ⁴ But how did God answer him? [I Kings 19:18 says], “I [i.e., God] have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed their knee [in worship] to Baal [Note: “Baal” was a term used for one of the idols worshiped in Elijah’s day by Canaanites and others in Palestine]. ⁵ So, now also, there is a small minority which has been selected by God’s unearned favor [i.e., to be saved]. ⁶ And if [they were selected] by God’s unearned favor, [then] the choice is not based on the good that people may do. Otherwise, God’s favor would not be [really] unearned.

¹ So, I urge you, brothers, because God is so merciful [to us], to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, [fully] dedicated and very pleasing to God. For this is a reasonable [or spiritual] way for you to worship [or serve] Him. ² And you people must not be conformed to [the values and standards of] this age, but you should become transformed [i.e., changed in attitude and action] by having your mind renewed [i.e., to think in a totally different way]. Then you will be able to determine [and practice] God’s will, the thing that is good, and acceptable and perfect.

⁶ And we [all] have different gifts, in harmony with the unearned favor [God has] shown us. If our gift is the ability to prophesy [i.e., to speak for God], we should make use of this gift in harmony with the amount of faith we have.

¹⁷ For God’s kingdom is not a matter of what people eat or drink, but [instead, it is a matter] of doing what is right, having peace [of heart] and having [inner] joy, which come from the Holy Spirit.

¹ [This letter is from] Paul, who was called by the will of God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and [from] our brother Sosthenes;

¹⁸ For the message of [Christ dying on] the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing [i.e., in a lost state], but it is God’s power to us who are being saved.

⁷ But we [apostles] speak God’s secret wisdom, which has been hidden [through the ages], which God predetermined for our honor before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew about this [divine] wisdom, for if they had [known it], they would not have crucified the glorious Lord [i.e., Jesus]. ⁹ But as it is written [Isa. 64:4], “The things which no eye saw or ear heard, and which did not [even] enter the mind of men, is what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

¹¹ For what person knows the thoughts of a man except that man’s [own] spirit which is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except God’s Holy Spirit. ¹² But we [apostles] did not receive the spirit of the world [i.e., human wisdom. See verse 6], but the Holy Spirit from God, so that we could understand what was freely given to us from God [i.e., the gift of inspiration. See verses 9-10].

¹² But we [apostles] did not receive the spirit of the world [i.e., human wisdom. See verse 6], but the Holy Spirit from God, so that we could understand what was freely given to us from God [i.e., the gift of inspiration. See verses 9-10]. ¹³ These also are the things we [apostles] speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but [in words] taught by the Holy Spirit. We use [or, combine] Spirit-taught words to express [or, with] Spirit-given truth. ¹⁴ Now the natural person [Note: Since this person is contrasted with the spiritual person of verse 15, it is taken here to mean the person without the Holy Spirit] does not receive the things [i.e., truths] revealed by the Holy Spirit of God, because they are [considered] foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them because they must be discerned by using spiritual judgment [i.e., judgment aided by the Holy Spirit].

¹⁴ Now the natural person [Note: Since this person is contrasted with the spiritual person of verse 15, it is taken here to mean the person without the Holy Spirit] does not receive the things [i.e., truths] revealed by the Holy Spirit of God, because they are [considered] foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them because they must be discerned by using spiritual judgment [i.e., judgment aided by the Holy Spirit].

¹ And I could not speak to you, brothers, as I would to spiritual people, but [I have to speak to you] as I would to worldly people, for you are immature children in [the fellowship of] Christ. ² For I fed you with milk, not with solid food [i.e., with basic fundamentals instead of more advanced teaching. See Heb. 5:12-13] because you were not able to absorb it, ³ for you are still worldly [minded]. And since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, is that not evidence that you are [still] worldly and living like [unspiritual] people? ⁴ For when one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I am a follower of Apollos,” are you not [acting like worldly] people? ⁵ After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? They are [only] servants through whom you believed [in Christ], with each one doing what the Lord gave him to do.

⁵ After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? They are [only] servants through whom you believed [in Christ], with each one doing what the Lord gave him to do.

⁷ For who makes you different [from each other]? [i.e., with some being viewed as superior and others inferior]. And what do you have that you did not receive [from God]? But if you received it [from Him], then why do you boast as though you did not [receive it as a gift]?

¹¹ And some of you have practiced such things, but you were washed [i.e., from your sins. See Acts 22:16]; you were dedicated [i.e., set apart for God’s service]; you were made right with God in the name [i.e., by the authority] of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit of our God.

¹⁷ But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit [with Him]. [Note: Just as the person who has sex with someone enters a close physical union with that person, so the person who becomes a Christian enters a close spiritual union with Christ].

¹¹ Now all of these [supernatural gifts] are the work of one and the same Holy Spirit, who distributes them to each person individually as He desires.

¹⁰ But I am whatever I am because of God’s unearned favor, and the favor He showed me was not for nothing [i.e., Paul made the most of his conversion by being extra diligent in his service to God]. But I worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I, but God’s favor on me [that accomplished it].

²⁷ For He [i.e., God] placed everything in subjection under His [i.e., Christ’s] feet. But when God said, “Everything is in subjection [to Him],” it is clear that this did not include God [Himself], who placed everything in subjection to Him [i.e., Christ].

⁴⁷ The first man [i.e., Adam] came from the dust of the ground [See Gen. 2:7]; the second man [i.e., Christ] came from heaven.

⁴⁷ The first man [i.e., Adam] came from the dust of the ground [See Gen. 2:7]; the second man [i.e., Christ] came from heaven.

⁴⁷ The first man [i.e., Adam] came from the dust of the ground [See Gen. 2:7]; the second man [i.e., Christ] came from heaven. ⁴⁸ Just as earthly people are like the man who came from dust; so heavenly people are like the man who came from heaven.

⁴⁸ Just as earthly people are like the man who came from dust; so heavenly people are like the man who came from heaven. ⁴⁹ And just as we [now] appear [in both a physical and spiritual body] like the man who came from dust [i.e., Adam]; we will also [someday] appear [in both a physical(?) and spiritual body] like the man who came from heaven [i.e., Christ]. ⁵⁰ Now this is what I am saying, brothers; flesh and blood [i.e., physical bodies] cannot possess the kingdom of God [i.e., the heavenly realm]; neither can [bodies that] decay possess [a place] which does not decay.

¹² For this is what we boast of: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and godly sincerity, not with human wisdom, but with the favor of God.

¹⁸ But just as certainly as God is dependable, our message to you is not [both] “yes” and “no” [at the same time]. ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me, [and] Silvanus [i.e., the same as Silas] and Timothy, was not “yes” and “no” [i.e., both our message and Jesus Himself were not contradictory], but with Him, it was “yes” [i.e., Jesus consistently spoke the truth]. ²⁰ For [no matter] how many promises God has made, in Christ [the answer] is “yes” [i.e., Christ has fulfilled all of God’s promises to mankind]. Also, through Christ, the “amen” [Note: This word is always translated elsewhere as “May it be so”] can be said by us in order to honor God.

²² He has placed His seal of ownership upon us by giving us the down payment of the Holy Spirit [to live] in our hearts.

¹⁵ For we [i.e., through our preaching] are like a fragrant incense which goes up to God, [and spreads the knowledge] of Christ among both saved and lost people. ¹⁶ To lost people [we become] a smell of death [i.e., we bring condemnation to people who reject our message]; to saved people [we become] a fragrance of life [i.e., we bring salvation to people who accept our message]. And who is adequate to [accomplish] such tasks?

⁷ But if the ministry [of the law] that brings [spiritual] death, being carved in letters on stones, came with [such] splendor that the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face because of its radiance [See Ex. 34:29-35], (even though such radiance [eventually] faded away), ⁸ will not the ministry of the Holy Spirit [i.e., the New Agreement] have [greater] splendor? ⁹ For if the ministry [of the law] that brings condemnation came with splendor, will not the ministry that brings righteousness [i.e., the New Agreement] have greater splendor? ¹⁰ For truly, what once came with splendor [i.e., the Old Agreement] has now lost it in comparison to that which has surpassing splendor [i.e., the New Agreement]. ¹¹ For if that which was fading away [i.e., the Old Agreement, represented by the law of Moses] had splendor, how much greater is the splendor of that which remains [i.e., the New Agreement represented by the Gospel]? [Note: In this section Paul uses the analogy of the fading splendor on Moses’ face to the fading splendor of the Old Agreement].

³ For even if our Gospel message is veiled, it is veiled [only] from those who are lost. ⁴ For the god of this world [i.e., Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the Gospel of the splendor of Christ, who is the image of God.

¹⁷ Therefore, if any person is in [fellowship with] Christ, he is a new person. His old ways have passed away; now his ways have become new.

¹⁷ Therefore, if any person is in [fellowship with] Christ, he is a new person. His old ways have passed away; now his ways have become new. ¹⁸ All [these] things are from God, who restored us to fellowship with Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of restoring [other] people to [such] fellowship. ¹⁹ That is, God was in Christ restoring the world to fellowship with Himself, not counting people’s sins against them. And He entrusted to us the message of restoring people to fellowship [with Him]. ²⁰ So, we [apostles] are ambassadors, [speaking] on behalf of Christ. [It is] as though God were appealing [to people] through us: “We urge you people, on behalf of Christ, to be restored to fellowship with God.” ²¹ God considered Christ to be sinful on our behalf, even though He never sinned, so that we could be considered right with God through Him.

² For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, that I might present you to Christ as a pure virgin.

¹ [This letter is from] Paul, an apostle, (not from [the authority of] men, or through the [agency] of a man, but by [a direct commission from] Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead).

¹⁶ still we know that a person is not justified [i.e., made right with God] by [perfect obedience to] the law of Moses, but rather through faith in [the person and work of] Christ. [Knowing this] we have trusted in Christ Jesus [to save us], so that we might be made right with God by trusting in Him and not by [our compliance with] the requirements of the law of Moses. Because by such law-compliance no one can be made right with God.

²⁰ I have been crucified [i.e., died] with Christ, and so I am not the one who lives [anymore] but rather, it is Christ who lives in my heart. And [now] my entire life is being lived by trusting in the Son of God [to save and keep me], because He loved me and gave Himself up for me.

¹⁰ For all who seek to be right with God by trying to meet all the requirements of the law of Moses are under a curse [from God], because it is written [Deut. 27:26], “Every person is cursed [i.e., cut off from God] who does not continue to obey all of the requirements written in the law of Moses.”

¹⁶ But, I am saying to you, live in harmony with the Holy Spirit’s [desire for you] and [then] you will not [always] be giving in to the wrong desires of your body. ¹⁷ For what your body wants is in conflict with what the Holy Spirit wants [for you], and what the Holy Spirit wants conflicts with what your body wants, for these [two desires] are contrary to one another, so that you do not [always] do what you [really] want to. ¹⁸ But, if you are led by [what] the Holy Spirit [wants you to do], you are not under [obligation to meet the requirements of] the law of Moses. ¹⁹ Now those things done by the sinful, physical nature [of a person] are evident; they are these: sexual immorality, moral impurity, indecent conduct, ²⁰ idol worship, occultic practices, hatefulness, dissension, jealousy, angry outbursts, factious spirits, divisiveness, party spirits, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you again, as I have done before, that those people who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against [practicing] these things. ²⁴ And those persons who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified [i.e., put out of their lives, Col. 3:4ff] the sinful cravings of the body, along with their passionate desires.

⁸ If he engages in things to satisfy his own sinful desires, he will be [spiritually] destroyed for such conduct, but the one who engages in things to please the Holy Spirit will receive never ending life [as a result].

¹² Those who attempt to make a good impression by trying to force you to be circumcised really want only to avoid being persecuted for their commitment to Christ. ¹³ For not even those who practice circumcision comply with [the requirements of] the law of Moses, yet they want you to be circumcised so they can take credit for this physical evidence [of your compliance with the law of Moses].

¹⁵ For it does not matter whether a person practices circumcision or refrains from practicing it; what really matters is [whether or not he is] a new creature [in the eyes of God].

¹ [This letter is from] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, according to God’s will, [and is being sent] to the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] at Ephesus [Note: This was a major city in the western province of Asia Minor, and now a part of Turkey. The words “at Ephesus” are omitted in some manuscripts, suggesting it was a circular letter], and the faithful ones in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus [everywhere else ?].

¹³ You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, “the Holy Spirit who brings promises”].

²⁰ which He exerted when raising Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right side in the heavenly realms [i.e., heaven itself]. ²¹ [There He is exalted] high above all rulers and authorities and powers and dominion and every name [i.e., title of honor] that can be given, not only in this present age but [also] in the one to come. ²² And God placed everything in subjection under His [i.e., Christ’s] feet, and appointed Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His [spiritual] body. The church is completely filled by Christ [or, “Christ is completely filled by God”], who completely fills everything in every way.

¹ And you [Gentiles] were once [spiritually] dead because of your shortcomings and sins.

³ All of us [Jews] also once lived among such people, fulfilling the improper cravings of our physical being and doing what our bodies and minds desired. In this natural [unconverted] state we were deserving of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind]. ⁴ But God, who has great love for us and abundant mercy [toward us],

⁴ But God, who has great love for us and abundant mercy [toward us], ⁵ restored [spiritual] life to us with Christ, even though we were [spiritually] dead because of our sins --- it is by God’s unearned favor that you have been saved. ⁶ God raised us up with Christ [See Col. 2:12] and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms [i.e., in the church. See 1:3] in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus. ⁷ This was so that, to future ages [of people on earth and in heaven], God could demonstrate the tremendous abundance of His unearned favor, expressed by His kindness to us in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you have been saved by God’s unearned favor, through [your] faith, and that [salvation] was not the result of your own doing; it was the gift from God. ⁹ It was not the result of your own [good] deeds [See Titus 3:5], so that no one could boast [about it]. ¹⁰ For we [Christians] are the product of God’s workmanship, [re-] created in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus for [the purpose of] doing good deeds. God had previously determined that this should be our practice.

⁷ I was made a minister [of the Gospel] according to the gift of God’s unearned favor, which was given to me according to the working of His power. ⁸ This favor of preaching the unfathomable riches of Christ to the Gentiles was given to me [even though] I am the least significant of all saints [i.e., God’s holy people].

⁸ This favor of preaching the unfathomable riches of Christ to the Gentiles was given to me [even though] I am the least significant of all saints [i.e., God’s holy people].

⁷ But [God’s] unearned favor was given to each one of us, according to the gift allotted [to us] by Christ. ⁸ Therefore, it says [Psa. 68:18], “When He ascended on high [i.e., to heaven], He led a procession of captured prisoners [behind Him] [Note: This originally referred to God leading His people in triumph over Israel’s enemies, but here is applied to Christ], and gave gifts to [various] people.”

⁸ Therefore, it says [Psa. 68:18], “When He ascended on high [i.e., to heaven], He led a procession of captured prisoners [behind Him] [Note: This originally referred to God leading His people in triumph over Israel’s enemies, but here is applied to Christ], and gave gifts to [various] people.” ⁹ (But what does “He ascended” mean if not that He also [first] descended to the lower parts of the earth [i.e., to the earth below]? [Note: Of the three principal interpretations given to this verse: a) Christ descended to earth, b) Christ descended to the grave, c) Christ descended to Mary’s womb. The first is to be preferred. See John 3:13; 6:38, 62].

⁹ (But what does “He ascended” mean if not that He also [first] descended to the lower parts of the earth [i.e., to the earth below]? [Note: Of the three principal interpretations given to this verse: a) Christ descended to earth, b) Christ descended to the grave, c) Christ descended to Mary’s womb. The first is to be preferred. See John 3:13; 6:38, 62]. ¹⁰ The One who descended [i.e., from heaven to earth] is the same One [i.e., Christ] who also ascended high above the all the heavens, so that He could fill the entire universe [with His presence]).

¹⁰ The One who descended [i.e., from heaven to earth] is the same One [i.e., Christ] who also ascended high above the all the heavens, so that He could fill the entire universe [with His presence]). ¹¹ And He gave some people [the gift of being] apostles; and some people prophets; and some people evangelists; and some people pastors [i.e., elders] and teachers, ¹² for the purpose of equipping the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] for the work of serving [others], in order to build up the [spiritual] body of Christ [i.e., the church]. ¹³ [This is to be done] until we all [eventually] arrive at unity of the faith and full knowledge of the Son of God; at complete [spiritual] maturity; at the [full] height of Christ’s [spiritual] stature.

²² You were [taught] to put away [the conduct of] your former lifestyle, your old person who is being corrupted by deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed in your inner person. ²⁴ And you should put on the new person who has been [re-] created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

⁶ Do not let anyone deceive you with empty words, for because of such things, the wrath of God will fall upon people who are disobedient [to Him].

⁹ (for the product of light consists of everything good and right and true).

¹¹ Do not have fellowship with [people who practice] worthless deeds of darkness [i.e., sinful living], but expose them instead. ¹² For it is shameful even to talk about the things they do in private. ¹³ But when all [such] things are exposed by the light [i.e., the truth], they become [clearly] visible [i.e., their true nature is revealed], for everything so revealed becomes illuminated. [Note: Possibly this means “it is light that clearly reveals everything”].

²⁵ Husbands, you should love your wives just as Christ also loved the church, and gave up His life for her, ²⁶ so that He could dedicate her [to Himself], after cleansing her by means of the washing of water [i.e., immersion], accompanied by the word. [Note: “The word” here refers either to a person’s profession of faith (See Rom. 10:9) or to the Gospel message (See Rom. 10:17), both of which are associated with immersion].

²⁶ so that He could dedicate her [to Himself], after cleansing her by means of the washing of water [i.e., immersion], accompanied by the word. [Note: “The word” here refers either to a person’s profession of faith (See Rom. 10:9) or to the Gospel message (See Rom. 10:17), both of which are associated with immersion]. ²⁷ [This is] so He could present the church to Himself in all her splendor, without any kind of stain or wrinkle, but that she should be holy and without [moral] flaw.

¹¹ having been full of qualities of righteousness, which come from Jesus Christ and produce honor and praise to God.

¹⁴ And most of the brothers in the Lord’s [service], through my imprisonment, gained confidence to speak out God’s message with greater courage and without fear.

² [Then] make me completely happy by being like-minded, having the same love [for one another], being united in spirit and having the same purpose.

⁹ Therefore, God also exalted Him to the highest position and gave Him the name [i.e., “Lord.” See verse 11], which is superior to every [other] name. ¹⁰ [This was] so that, in [honor of] the name of Jesus, everyone’s knee in heaven, on earth and under the earth [i.e., all rational creatures] should bow [i.e., before God], ¹¹ and that everyone’s mouth should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹³ for it is God who is at work in you, both to motivate the desire and to carry out what pleases Him.

³ For we [Christians] are the [true] circumcision [i.e., the real “Jews” in God’s eyes. See Rom. 2:28-29]. We worship by means of God’s Holy Spirit [i.e., are empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit], and boast in [the person and work of] Christ Jesus, and [we] place no confidence in the flesh [i.e., in any outward ritual or status for salvation].

¹² [May you] give thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share [i.e., eventually] in the inheritance of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] in [the kingdom of] light.

¹⁸ And He is the head of the [spiritual] body, the church. He is [its] source, the firstborn One from the dead [i.e., the first one to return to life, never to die again], so that He could rank first [in importance] over all things. ¹⁹ For God was very pleased to have all of [His] fullness dwell in Christ [See 2:9],

²⁹ This is the reason that I work hard and struggle also, using God’s mighty power which is at work in me.

⁹ For all of the fullness of Deity lives in His body,

¹¹ In [fellowship with] Him you people were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human beings, but performed by Christ, consisting of the removal of the body of [sinful] flesh.

¹⁰ And [they tell how you are] waiting for His Son [to come] from heaven, the One He raised up from the dead --- this Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath [of God].

⁹ For God did not appoint us to [suffer His] wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ

¹² in order that all those who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in wrongdoing, would be condemned. ¹³ But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for “firstfruits” instead of “beginning” here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were “first”], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel]. ¹⁴ He called you [to this salvation] through our Gospel message, in order that you could obtain the splendor of our Lord Jesus Christ [in heaven].

¹⁶ Now, may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us never ending encouragement and good hope through [His] unearned favor,

¹⁵ This saying is trustworthy and deserves to be fully accepted: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them all. ¹⁶ However, even though I was the worst, I obtained mercy so that the patience of Jesus Christ could be shown toward the worst [of sinners] as an example for those people who would later believe in Him in order to [receive] never ending life.

⁵ For there is one God and one Mediator between God and mankind --- the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself as a ransom on behalf of all people [i.e., as a substitute in place of others]. The proper time for the testimony [of this event to be proclaimed] has arrived. [Note: The correct meaning of the foregoing sentence is very difficult to determine]. ⁷ I was appointed to be a preacher [of this testimony] and an apostle and teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. (I am telling the truth and not lying).

¹⁶ And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].

¹ [This letter is from] Paul, a slave of God, and an apostle for [the benefit of] the faith of God’s elect [i.e., His chosen people] and [to spread] the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness, ² [and provides] hope for never ending life. God, who cannot lie, promised this [life] before the beginning of time,

⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared,

⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared, ⁵ He saved us, not because of any good deeds we ourselves had done, but because of His mercy. [He saved us] through the washing of new birth [Note: This refers to our immersion in water] and the renewing [work] of the Holy Spirit,

⁵ He saved us, not because of any good deeds we ourselves had done, but because of His mercy. [He saved us] through the washing of new birth [Note: This refers to our immersion in water] and the renewing [work] of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom God poured out upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ [This was] so that, being made right with God by His unearned favor, we could have the hope of [possessing our] inheritance of never ending life [in heaven].

² [but] during these final days He has spoken to us through His Son [Note: This period refers to the Christian age (See Acts 2:14-36)], whom He appointed to be heir of all things [and] through whom He created the universe. [See John 1:3; Col. 1:16].

³ how will we escape [punishment] if we neglect such a great salvation? [For it was] first announced [to people] by the Lord and then confirmed to us [i.e., the writer and other Christians] by those who heard Him [i.e., the original apostles].

⁸ You placed everything under his feet [Note: This is true of both mankind (Gen. 1:26-28) and of Jesus (Eph. 1:22-23)]. For in subjecting everything to him, God did not leave anything that is not subject to him. But at the present time we do not see what all has been subjected to him. ⁹ But we do see Jesus, who was made a little bit lower than the angels [i.e., by suffering death as a human being], and was crowned with splendor and honor because He suffered death. It was by God’s unearned favor that He would experience death for every person.

² He was faithful to God who appointed Him, just as Moses was [also] faithful in [serving] God’s household [i.e., the Israelites]. ³ For Jesus has been considered deserving of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house deserves greater honor than the house itself. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but God is the Builder of everything. ⁵ Now Moses was a faithful servant among all of [those belonging to] God’s household [i.e., the Israelites], as [one who gave] testimony about the things which [were to be] spoken [by him], ⁶ but Christ [was faithful] as a Son over God’s household. And we [Christians] are that household, if we hold on to our confidence [in Christ], and to the boasting [i.e., joy] of our hope [in God], firmly to the end [of our lives].

¹² Pay attention, brothers, so that there will not be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, [resulting] in falling away from the living God. ¹³ But [instead], encourage one another each day, as long as it is [still] called “Today,” so that none of you becomes stubborn [as a result] of the deceitfulness of sin.

⁴ And no one takes on himself the honor [of head priest], but [he is appointed only] when he is called by God, as was the case with Aaron. ⁵ So, Christ also did not take on Himself the honor of becoming head priest, but God said to Him [Psa. 2:7], “You are my Son; today I have conceived you.”

¹¹ [Now] we have many things to say about Melchizedek, but because of your slowness to grasp things, they are hard to explain.

² and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John’s and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment.

¹⁷ Since God wanted to show conclusively to those who would inherit the promise [i.e., Abraham and all of his spiritual descendants], how unchangeable His purpose was, He confirmed it with an oath.

²⁵ So, He is also able to save completely those people who approach God through Him, since He lives forever to intercede [i.e., to plead to God] on their behalf.

¹ Now even the first Agreement had regulations for [governing] service [to God] and an earthly sanctuary.

⁹ [That Tabernacle] is symbolic of the present time, [indicating] that both gifts and [animal] sacrifices, which are offered [by the priests], are not able to give the worshiper a clear conscience ¹⁰ since, with foods and drinks and various [ceremonial] washings, they are only outward regulations imposed until the time when everything would be made right [i.e., under the New Agreement].

¹⁰ since, with foods and drinks and various [ceremonial] washings, they are only outward regulations imposed until the time when everything would be made right [i.e., under the New Agreement].

¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls, and a [burnt] heifer’s ashes sprinkled on people who had been [ceremonially] defiled, could purify them so as to make them [ceremonially] clean on the outside, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Holy Spirit [or, His eternal Spirit] offered Himself without [moral] blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from deeds which lead to [spiritual] death to serve the living God?

²³ Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things [i.e., the Tabernacle, its furniture and utensils, etc.] to be [ceremonially] cleansed by these things [i.e., the blood of animal sacrifices], but the heavenly things themselves [i.e., the church, both on earth and in heaven] require better sacrifices than these [i.e., the sacrifice of Christ].

²⁹ How much more severely do you think a person deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God and has regarded the blood of the [New] Agreement, with which he was set apart for God, an unholy thing and has insulted the Holy Spirit, through whom God’s unearned favor is shown?

³⁹ But we are not like those people who turn back and are destroyed, but like those who have faith [in God] and obtain the salvation of their souls.

¹⁴ Actively seek to live in peace with all people. And be dedicated to God, because no one will see God without this.

²⁵ Pay careful attention so that you do not refuse [to hear] God when He speaks to you. [See verse 9]. For if those people [i.e., the Israelites] did not escape [judgment] when they refused [to hear] Him who warned them on earth [i.e., God speaking through Moses at Mount Sinai], how much less [likely] will we escape [judgment] if we reject Him who warns from heaven [i.e., Christ]?

²¹ equip you with every good deed for doing God’s will. [May He] work in us [to accomplish] what is very pleasing in His sight through [the power of] Jesus Christ. May there be praise to Him forever and ever. May it be so.

¹⁷ Every good thing that is given and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].

¹⁷ Every good thing that is given and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same]. ¹⁸ It was God’s purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of “firstfruits” of those He created. [Note: “Firstfruits” here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God’s creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come].

²³ For if anyone is [only] a listener to the word and does not practice it, he is like a person who sees his natural face in a mirror, ²⁴ and [then after] he sees himself, [he] goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But the person who looks closely into the perfect law that brings freedom, and continues to do so, is not a listener who forgets [what he hears], but someone who does the work [it requires]. This person will be blessed for doing so.

¹⁴ But if you people have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, do not be arrogant [over it] and deny the truth. ¹⁵ This “wisdom” is not the kind that comes from [God] above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic [i.e., it is motivated by an evil spirit and not the Holy Spirit]. ¹⁶ For when jealousy and rivalry exist, there is [also] disorder and every [kind of] evil practice. ¹⁷ But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere.

¹⁷ But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere. ¹⁸ [People who are] peacemakers sow [seeds of] peace and it produces a crop of righteousness [in the lives of others].

⁵ Or, do you think that the Scripture says [this] for nothing? [Note: No specific passage is here cited, but the idea occurs in several Old Testament passages]. “The Holy Spirit, whom God has made to live in us, longs jealously [for us to be faithful to God].” ⁶ But He gives [us] more unearned favor [i.e., to overcome the world]. Therefore, the Scripture says [Prov. 3:34], “God opposes proud people, but gives unearned favor to those who are humble.”

² These people have been [specially] selected, and [their acceptance was] pre-planned by God the Father, and they were set apart through [the work of] the Holy Spirit. This resulted in their obedience and sprinkling [Note: This is a figurative reference to the Old Testament practice of cleansing, See Exodus 24:7-8] by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God’s unearned favor and peace be continually upon you. ³ God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is to be praised for being so merciful as to have given us a new birth, which provides for us a hope of never ending life through the means of Jesus Christ’s return from the dead.

¹⁴ As obedient children, do not pattern your lives after the evil desires you formerly had when you were ignorant, ¹⁵ but according to the Holy One, who called you [i.e., God], you people also should become holy [i.e., separated for God’s service] in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written [Lev. 11:44f], “You shall be holy [i.e., separated from sin] even as I am holy.”

²² [Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another. ²³ You have experienced new birth, not from seed that can decay, but from seed that cannot decay, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴ For all forms of flesh are similar to grass, and all the splendor of [a person’s] flesh is like the flower [which blossoms] from the grass. [But as with] grass, [a person’s flesh] withers, and its flower [i.e., his splendor] falls off. ²⁵ But the word of the Lord continues to live on and on [forever]. And this word is the good news that was preached to you people.

¹ Therefore, you should put out of your lives all malice [i.e., bad attitudes], and all deceit and hypocrisy, and all envy and unwholesome talk. ² [So], like newly born babies, you should desire the genuine, spiritual milk [i.e., God’s word. See Heb. 5:12-13], so that by it you may grow toward [final] salvation, ³ since you have experienced the goodness of the Lord [i.e., that the Lord is good].

⁸ [And it also says, Isa. 8:14, that He would be], “A stone that people would stumble over and a rock over which they would trip and fall.” The way they stumble is by disobeying the Gospel message. They were destined [though not forced] to do this.

²¹ This water prefigured immersion [into Christ], which now also saves you, not by removing dirt from the [physical] body, but [by serving] as an appeal [or, “pledge”] to God for a clear conscience through the raising of Jesus Christ from the dead. ²² He has [now] gone to heaven, and is [seated] at the right side of God, where the angels and [other] authorities and powers have been subjected to Him.

¹⁰ As each of you has received a gift [from God], you should make use of it [in the body], so that you will be [good] caretakers of the many unearned ways that God favors you. ¹¹ If someone’s gift is speaking, he should [be sure to] say only what God wants him to. If a person’s gift is serving, he should do so by the strength provided by God [who supplies all such gifts]. This is so that, in using all gifts, God may be honored through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs honor and power forever and ever. May it be so.

⁵ And for this very reason, you people should make every effort to develop goodness along with your faith, ⁶ and knowledge along with your goodness, and self-control along with your knowledge, and endurance along with your self-control, and godliness along with your endurance, ⁷ and brotherly kindness along with your godliness, and with your brotherly kindness, develop love. ⁸ For if you people have a lot of these [qualities] they will keep you from being unproductive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But, anyone who lacks these qualities is [spiritually] blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed [i.e., forgiven] of his past sins. ¹⁰ So, brothers, be diligent to make sure of your calling and election [i.e., of your status as being selected by God], for when you do, you will never stumble [and fall away from God].

³ First of all, you should understand that, in the final days, mockers with evil desires will come [to you] saying, mockingly,

¹ We [apostles] proclaim to you [the truth about Jesus], who existed from the beginning [of time]. We have heard [Him] and seen [Him] with our [own] eyes. We looked at Him, and [even] touched Him with our hands. [See John 20:20]. [So, we proclaim that] He is the word of life [i.e., the life-giving Word]! ² Truly, this “Life” was made known to us and we have [actually] seen it [i.e., Him], and so we testify and proclaim to you [that He is] “the Eternal Life,” who was with the Father and was made known to us [apostles]. ³ We declare to you what we have seen and heard [concerning Christ], so that you also may share a relationship with us. And indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing to you about these things, so that [together] our joy may be [completely] full.

⁶ If we claim to share a relationship with God and yet live in darkness [i.e., in a sinful way], we are lying and are not living a truthful life.

² And He is the One who provides a “covering over” [or atonement] for our sins [See Heb. 2:17; Dan. 9:24; II Chron. 29:24], and not for ours [who are already Christians] only, but also for the sins of the people of the whole world.

²⁵ And this is the promise which Christ [or, “God”] has given to us: [It is] never ending life. [Note: This passage may mean that God promised us “the Eternal Life,” that is, Christ, See John 3:16].

²⁷ And this is important to you: The “special gift,” which you received from God [See verse 20], continues to live in your hearts, [so that] you do not need anyone to teach you [anything different]. But, since this same “special gift” teaches you concerning everything that is true, and [what it teaches] is not false, you should continue to live in [fellowship with] Christ. ²⁸ And now, little children [i.e., dear ones], continue to live in [fellowship with] Christ, so that when He appears, we may have boldness and not have [any reason] to be ashamed in front of Him at His [second] coming. ²⁹ If you know that Christ is [truly] righteous [verse 1], then you should also know that everyone who does what is right has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God [See 5:18].

²⁹ If you know that Christ is [truly] righteous [verse 1], then you should also know that everyone who does what is right has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God [See 5:18].

⁸ [But] the person who continues to live a sinful life belongs to the devil, because the devil has continued to sin since the beginning [See Gen. 3]. For this is the reason that the Son of God came [into the world]; it was to destroy the works [i.e., the influence of] the devil [in people’s lives]. ⁹ No one who has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God continues to live a sinful life, because God’s seed [i.e., His word, See Luke 8:11] continues to live in his heart, so he cannot [continue a life of] sin, because he has been conceived by God.

⁹ No one who has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God continues to live a sinful life, because God’s seed [i.e., His word, See Luke 8:11] continues to live in his heart, so he cannot [continue a life of] sin, because he has been conceived by God.

¹⁴ [For] we [can] know that we have passed out of [the realm of spiritual] death and into [spiritual] life, because we [show] love for the brothers [and sisters]. The person who does not love [them] continues to be [spiritually] dead. ¹⁵ Every person who hates his brother is a murderer [in God’s sight]; and you [surely] know that no murderer has [the hope of] never ending life remaining in his heart.

⁵ These [false teachers] are part of the world, so [naturally] they speak [a message endorsed] by the world and the world listens to them.

⁹ Here is the way God’s love for us was demonstrated; He sent His one and only Son into the world so that we could have [spiritual] life through Him.

⁹ Here is the way God’s love for us was demonstrated; He sent His one and only Son into the world so that we could have [spiritual] life through Him. ¹⁰ Here is [the essence of] love: [It is] not that we loved God [first], but that He loved us [See Rom. 5:6-8] and sent His Son to be a “covering over” [i.e., atonement, 2:2] for our sins.

¹⁰ Here is [the essence of] love: [It is] not that we loved God [first], but that He loved us [See Rom. 5:6-8] and sent His Son to be a “covering over” [i.e., atonement, 2:2] for our sins.

¹² No person has gazed upon God [at any time]; [but] if we love one another, God [continually] lives in our hearts, and His love is made complete within us. ¹³ This is [one way] to know we live in [fellowship with] God and that He lives in our hearts: [It is] because He has given us His Holy Spirit [to live within us, See 3:24]. ¹⁴ And we [apostles] have seen and are [reliable] witnesses that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world [See 1:2; 2:2]. ¹⁵ Whoever proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God, God [continually] lives in that person’s heart, and he lives in [fellowship with] God [See 2:23]. ¹⁶ And we have known [with certainty] and have believed [with assurance] that God has truly loved us. God’s [very nature] is love and the person who [continually] loves [Him and others] lives in [fellowship with] God [continually], and God [continually] lives in that person’s heart.

¹⁹ We love [God and others] because God has first loved us.

¹ Every person who believes that Jesus is the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God. And everyone who [continually] loves God, who did the conceiving, also [must continually] love the person whom God has [spiritually] conceived.

⁶ This Jesus is the one whose coming [to earth was introduced] by water [at His immersion. See Matt. 3:13] and [completed] by blood [at His crucifixion, John 19:17-37]. He did not come by the water only, but by the water and by the blood. And it is the Holy Spirit who gives testimony [at both of these events], because the Holy Spirit is [always] the truth. [See John 16:13].

⁶ This Jesus is the one whose coming [to earth was introduced] by water [at His immersion. See Matt. 3:13] and [completed] by blood [at His crucifixion, John 19:17-37]. He did not come by the water only, but by the water and by the blood. And it is the Holy Spirit who gives testimony [at both of these events], because the Holy Spirit is [always] the truth. [See John 16:13]. ⁷ For there are three who give their testimony [about Jesus]:

⁷ For there are three who give their testimony [about Jesus]: ⁸ The Holy Spirit [through His Word], and the water [through His immersion] and the blood [through His crucifixion]; and these three agree together [in giving testimony about Him].

⁸ The Holy Spirit [through His Word], and the water [through His immersion] and the blood [through His crucifixion]; and these three agree together [in giving testimony about Him]. ⁹ If we [are willing to] accept the testimony of people about matters, [surely we ought to accept that] the testimony of God is more reliable; because the testimony of God is that He has presented [confirming] testimony concerning [the identity and mission of] His Son.

⁹ If we [are willing to] accept the testimony of people about matters, [surely we ought to accept that] the testimony of God is more reliable; because the testimony of God is that He has presented [confirming] testimony concerning [the identity and mission of] His Son. ¹⁰ The person who [sincerely] believes in God’s Son has the evidence [of it] within his heart, [confirming God’s testimony]. The person who does not believe God [i.e., what He says about Jesus], accuses Him of lying, because he has not accepted the [irrefutable] testimony of God concerning [the identity and mission of] His Son.

¹⁰ The person who [sincerely] believes in God’s Son has the evidence [of it] within his heart, [confirming God’s testimony]. The person who does not believe God [i.e., what He says about Jesus], accuses Him of lying, because he has not accepted the [irrefutable] testimony of God concerning [the identity and mission of] His Son.

¹⁰ The person who [sincerely] believes in God’s Son has the evidence [of it] within his heart, [confirming God’s testimony]. The person who does not believe God [i.e., what He says about Jesus], accuses Him of lying, because he has not accepted the [irrefutable] testimony of God concerning [the identity and mission of] His Son.

¹⁰ The person who [sincerely] believes in God’s Son has the evidence [of it] within his heart, [confirming God’s testimony]. The person who does not believe God [i.e., what He says about Jesus], accuses Him of lying, because he has not accepted the [irrefutable] testimony of God concerning [the identity and mission of] His Son. ¹¹ And this is the testimony [of God]: He gave to us [the hope of] never ending life, and this life is [available through fellowship] in His Son.

¹¹ And this is the testimony [of God]: He gave to us [the hope of] never ending life, and this life is [available through fellowship] in His Son. ¹² The person who has the Son [in his heart] possesses this “life;” the one who does not have the Son of God does not possess this “life.”

¹² The person who has the Son [in his heart] possesses this “life;” the one who does not have the Son of God does not possess this “life.”

¹² The person who has the Son [in his heart] possesses this “life;” the one who does not have the Son of God does not possess this “life.” ¹³ I have written these things to you people, who believe in the name [i.e., in the person and work] of the Son of God, so that you can have assurance that you have [the hope of] never ending life. [See Titus 1:2; 3:7; Mark 10:30].

¹⁸ We know that every person who has been [spiritually] conceived [by God and eventually born] does not continue in [a life of] sin, but God’s one and only conceived [Son] keeps him [from continuing to sin], and the evil one [i.e., Satan] does not continue to touch him [i.e., continue to control his life].

²⁰ And [in addition], we know that the Son of God has come [in a physical body, See 4:2] and has given us understanding, so that we can know the True One [i.e., God], and that we are in [fellowship with] the True One, even His Son Jesus Christ. This Son is the true God and eternal life.

¹² I have many [more] things to write to you about, but will not do so with paper and ink, since I hope to visit you [soon] and speak to you in person, so that our joy may be complete.

¹¹ Dear [friend], do not imitate what is evil, but [only] what is good. The person who does what is good is [a child] of God; the one who does evil has not seen God [spiritually].

⁵ [It is also] from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness [to the truth], the Firstborn from the dead [i.e., the first One raised never to die again], the Ruler of the kings of the world. May there be honor and power forever and ever to Christ, who loved us and released us from our sins by His blood [Note: Some manuscripts say “washed us” since the two words are spelled almost alike].

¹⁵ And His feet were like shiny brass, [glowing] as when it is being refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of much rushing water.

¹ “And write [this] to the angel of the church at Sardis: These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God [i.e., Jesus, who has the Holy Spirit] and the seven stars [i.e., the seven angels of the seven churches. See 1:20]: I know about your deeds, that you have a reputation for being [spiritually] alive, but you are [really] dead. ² Wake up, and strengthen what remains [i.e., those few in the church who were trying to stay faithful], who are about to die. For I have not found [any] of your deeds to be complete before my God.

¹⁴ “Write [this] to the angel of the church at Laodicia: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the source [or, ruler] of God’s creation [See John 1:3; Heb. 1:1-2]: ¹⁵ I know about your deeds, that you are neither [spiritually] cold nor hot. I wish you were [either] cold or hot.

¹⁶ And they called out to the mountains, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of God, who sits on His throne, and from the anger of the Lamb. ¹⁷ For the terrible day of their anger has come, and who will be able to survive it?”

³ saying, “Do not harm the land, or the ocean, or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God [with a mark] on their foreheads.” ⁴ Then I heard the number of those who were sealed. [It was] one hundred forty-four thousand [in all] from every tribe of the Israelites [Note: This could refer to Christians of Jewish descent]. ⁵ There were twelve thousand sealed from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand from Reuben, twelve thousand from Gad, ⁶ twelve thousand from Asher, twelve thousand from Naphtali, twelve thousand from Manasseh, ⁷ twelve thousand from Simeon, twelve thousand from Levi, twelve thousand from Issachar, ⁸ twelve thousand from Zebulun, twelve thousand from Joseph and twelve thousand from Benjamin.

¹⁵ Then the seventh angel sounded its trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord [i.e., God] and of His Christ, and He will rule forever and ever.”

² And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of much rushing water, and like the sound of loud thunder. And the sound I heard was like people playing their harps.

⁶ Then I heard what sounded like the voices of a huge crowd, and the sound of much rushing water, and great rolling thunder. They shouted, “Hallelujah! For the Lord, our God Almighty rules. ⁷ We should rejoice and be extremely glad, and we should give honor to Him. For the time has come for the Lamb’s marriage, and His bride has prepared herself [for the wedding]. ⁸ She was given expensive, bright, clean linen [clothing] to wear.” (Now the expensive linen [clothing] represents the righteous deeds of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people]). ⁹ Then the angel said to me [See 17:1; 18:1-2], “Write [this]: Those who are invited to the wedding reception of the Lamb are blessed.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

¹⁶ And on His robe and His thigh was written the name, “King of kings, and Lord of lords.”

⁶ Then He said to me, “These things have already happened. [Note: These words express the certainty of what has been predicted in this book, even though not all the events had actually taken place yet]. I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the beginning and the end. I will give the person who is [spiritually] thirsty [a drink] from the spring of water of life without his having to pay for it.

⁸ But the place for cowards, and unbelievers, and disgusting people [i.e., because of their terrible sins], and murderers, and sexually immoral people, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will be the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This is the second death.” ⁹ Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues [i.e., judgments, See 15:1], came and spoke to me, saying, “Come here, [and] I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”

²⁷ And there will never be anything [morally] unclean allowed to enter it, nor any person who practices disgusting behavior [i.e., probably such sins as sexual perversion], or [any person] who is a liar. But the only ones [allowed there] are those [whose names are] recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.

¹ Then the angel [See 21:9] showed me the river of the water of life. It was crystal-clear as it flowed out of the throne of God and the Lamb,

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you people about these things for [the benefit of] the churches [See 1:4]. I am the Root and the descendant of King David, the bright Morning Star.” ¹⁷ And the Holy Spirit and the bride [i.e., the church. See 21:9] say, “Come!” And the person who hears [this] should say “Come.” And the person who is [spiritually] thirsty should come; [and] whoever wants to should come and drink the water of life without having to pay for it.