John 3
The New Birth
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 aThis man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for bno one can do these signs that You do unless cGod is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, aunless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, aunless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is aflesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 aThe wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, a“How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 aMost assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and byou do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 aNo one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 aAnd as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so bmust the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever abelieves in Him should not perish but bhave eternal life. 16 aFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten bSon, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 aFor God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 a“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, athat the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For aeveryone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been adone in God.”
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them aand baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near aSalim, because there was much water there. bAnd they came and were baptized. 24 For aJohn had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, ato whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all bare coming to Him!”
27 John answered and said, a“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, a‘I am not the Christ,’ but, b‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 aHe who has the bride is the bridegroom; but bthe friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 aHe must increase, but I must decrease. 31 aHe who comes from above bis above all; che who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. dHe who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And awhat He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony ahas certified that God is true. 34 aFor He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit bby measure. 35 aThe Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 aHe who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the bwrath of God abides on him.”
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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