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John 3

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know you are a teacher come from God, because nobody can do these signs you do unless God is with him. Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he can't see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus

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Nicodemus

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know you are a teacher come from God, because nobody can do these signs you do unless God is with him. Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he can't see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he go into his mother's womb a second time and be born? Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he can't enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don't be surprised that I said to you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it likes, and you hear the sound of it, but you can't tell where it comes from or where it goes. It is like that with everyone born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered him, How can these things be? Jesus answered him, Are you a teacher of Israel, and you don't know these things? I tell you the truth, we speak what we know and bear witness to what we have seen. And you don't accept our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? And nobody has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven — the Son of man, who is in heaven. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Because God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so the world through him might be saved. Whoever believes in him isn't condemned. But whoever doesn't believe is condemned already, because he hasn't believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. And this is the condemnation: that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Because everyone who does evil hates the light, and won't come to the light, in case his deeds are exposed. But whoever does the truth comes to the light, so it may be plain that what he has done has been done in God.

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him: Rabbi, we know you're a teacher come from God. Because nobody can do these miracles you do, unless God is with him. Jesus answered him: Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he can't see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus says to him: How can a man be born when he's old? Can he go into his mother's womb a second time and be born? Jesus answered: Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he can't go into the kingdom of God. What's born of the flesh is flesh, and what's born of the Spirit is spirit. Don't be shocked that I said to you: You have to be born again. The wind blows where it wants, and you hear the sound of it but can't tell where it comes from or where it goes. That's what everyone is like who's born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered him: How can these things be? Jesus answered him: Are you a teacher of Israel and don't know these things? Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know and testify to what we've seen. And you don't take our witness. If I've told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? And nobody has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And the way Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, that's how the Son of Man has to be lifted up — so whoever believes in him shouldn't die, but have everlasting life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Because God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so the world through him could be saved. The one who believes in him isn't condemned. But the one who doesn't believe is condemned already, because he hasn't believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemning: that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because what they did was evil. Because everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, so what he does won't be shown up. But the one who does truth comes to the light, so what he does can be plain, that it's worked in God.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

1

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

King James Version, 1611

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2

He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know you are a teacher come from God, because nobody can do these signs you do unless God is with him.

Plain English

He came to Jesus by night and said to him: Rabbi, we know you're a teacher come from God. Because nobody can do these miracles you do, unless God is with him.

King James Version, 1611

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3

Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he can't see the kingdom of God.

Plain English

Jesus answered him: Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he can't see the kingdom of God.

King James Version, 1611

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be 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 go into his mother's womb a second time and be born?

Plain English

Nicodemus says to him: How can a man be born when he's old? Can he go into his mother's womb a second time and be born?

King James Version, 1611

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5

Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he can't enter the kingdom of God.

Plain English

Jesus answered: Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he can't go into the kingdom of God.

King James Version, 1611

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6

What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Plain English

What's born of the flesh is flesh, and what's born of the Spirit is spirit.

King James Version, 1611

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7

Don't be surprised that I said to you, You must be born again.

Plain English

Don't be shocked that I said to you: You have to be born again.

King James Version, 1611

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8

The wind blows where it likes, and you hear the sound of it, but you can't tell where it comes from or where it goes. It is like that with everyone born of the Spirit.

Plain English

The wind blows where it wants, and you hear the sound of it but can't tell where it comes from or where it goes. That's what everyone is like who's born of the Spirit.

King James Version, 1611

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9

Nicodemus answered him, How can these things be?

Plain English

Nicodemus answered him: How can these things be?

King James Version, 1611

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10

Jesus answered him, Are you a teacher of Israel, and you don't know these things?

Plain English

Jesus answered him: Are you a teacher of Israel and don't know these things?

King James Version, 1611

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11

I tell you the truth, we speak what we know and bear witness to what we have seen. And you don't accept our witness.

Plain English

Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know and testify to what we've seen. And you don't take our witness.

King James Version, 1611

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12

If I have told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

Plain English

If I've told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

King James Version, 1611

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13

And nobody has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven — the Son of man, who is in heaven.

Plain English

And nobody has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

King James Version, 1611

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,

Plain English

And the way Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, that's how the Son of Man has to be lifted up —

King James Version, 1611

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15

so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Plain English

so whoever believes in him shouldn't die, but have everlasting life.

King James Version, 1611

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Plain English

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

King James Version, 1611

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17

Because God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so the world through him might be saved.

Plain English

Because God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so the world through him could be saved.

King James Version, 1611

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18

Whoever believes in him isn't condemned. But whoever doesn't believe is condemned already, because he hasn't believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Plain English

The one who believes in him isn't condemned. But the one who doesn't believe is condemned already, because he hasn't believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

King James Version, 1611

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19

And this is the condemnation: that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Plain English

And this is the condemning: that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because what they did was evil.

King James Version, 1611

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20

Because everyone who does evil hates the light, and won't come to the light, in case his deeds are exposed.

Plain English

Because everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, so what he does won't be shown up.

King James Version, 1611

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21

But whoever does the truth comes to the light, so it may be plain that what he has done has been done in God.

Plain English

But the one who does truth comes to the light, so what he does can be plain, that it's worked in God.

King James Version, 1611

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John's last witness

After this Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judaea, and he stayed there with them and baptised. And John was baptising at Aenon near Salim as well, because there was plenty of water there. And people came and were baptised. Because John hadn't been thrown into prison yet. Then a question arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew about purification. And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, the man who was with you beyond the Jordan, the one you bore witness to — look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him. John answered, A man can receive nothing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Christ, but I am sent ahead of him. The one who has the bride is the groom. But the groom's friend, who stands and listens for him, is very glad at the sound of the groom's voice. So this joy of mine is complete. He must increase, but I must decrease. The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. And what he has seen and heard, that is what he bears witness to. And nobody receives his witness. The man who has received his witness has set his seal to this: that God is true. Because the one God has sent speaks the words of God, and God doesn't give the Spirit by measure to him. The Father loves the Son and has given everything into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has everlasting life. And whoever doesn't believe the Son won't see life, but the anger of God stays on him.

After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea. And he stayed there with them and baptised. And John was baptising too in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. And they came and were baptised. Because John wasn't put in prison yet. Then there was a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about cleansing. And they came to John and said to him: Rabbi, the one who was with you beyond the Jordan, who you testified about — look, he baptises, and everyone comes to him. John answered: A man can take nothing unless it's given him from heaven. You testify for me yourselves that I said: I'm not the Christ, but that I'm sent in front of him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the mate of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, celebrates a lot because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine is filled up. He has to grow, but I have to get smaller. The one who comes from above is above all. The one who's of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. And what he's seen and heard, that's what he testifies to. And nobody takes his witness. The one who's taken his witness has set his seal that God is true. Because the one God has sent speaks the words of God. Because God doesn't give him the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son and has given everything into his hand. The one who believes in the Son has everlasting life. And the one who doesn't believe the Son won't see life, but the anger of God stays on him.

After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

22

After this Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judaea, and he stayed there with them and baptised.

Plain English

After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea. And he stayed there with them and baptised.

King James Version, 1611

After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

23

And John was baptising at Aenon near Salim as well, because there was plenty of water there. And people came and were baptised.

Plain English

And John was baptising too in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. And they came and were baptised.

King James Version, 1611

And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

24

Because John hadn't been thrown into prison yet.

Plain English

Because John wasn't put in prison yet.

King James Version, 1611

For John was not yet cast into prison.

25

Then a question arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew about purification.

Plain English

Then there was a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about cleansing.

King James Version, 1611

Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

26

And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, the man who was with you beyond the Jordan, the one you bore witness to — look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.

Plain English

And they came to John and said to him: Rabbi, the one who was with you beyond the Jordan, who you testified about — look, he baptises, and everyone comes to him.

King James Version, 1611

And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

27

John answered, A man can receive nothing unless it is given him from heaven.

Plain English

John answered: A man can take nothing unless it's given him from heaven.

King James Version, 1611

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

28

You yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Christ, but I am sent ahead of him.

Plain English

You testify for me yourselves that I said: I'm not the Christ, but that I'm sent in front of him.

King James Version, 1611

Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

29

The one who has the bride is the groom. But the groom's friend, who stands and listens for him, is very glad at the sound of the groom's voice. So this joy of mine is complete.

Plain English

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the mate of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, celebrates a lot because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine is filled up.

King James Version, 1611

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Plain English

He has to grow, but I have to get smaller.

King James Version, 1611

He must increase, but I must decrease.

31

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.

Plain English

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who's of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.

King James Version, 1611

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

32

And what he has seen and heard, that is what he bears witness to. And nobody receives his witness.

Plain English

And what he's seen and heard, that's what he testifies to. And nobody takes his witness.

King James Version, 1611

And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

33

The man who has received his witness has set his seal to this: that God is true.

Plain English

The one who's taken his witness has set his seal that God is true.

King James Version, 1611

He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

34

Because the one God has sent speaks the words of God, and God doesn't give the Spirit by measure to him.

Plain English

Because the one God has sent speaks the words of God. Because God doesn't give him the Spirit by measure.

King James Version, 1611

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

35

The Father loves the Son and has given everything into his hand.

King James Version, 1611

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

36

Whoever believes in the Son has everlasting life. And whoever doesn't believe the Son won't see life, but the anger of God stays on him.

Plain English

The one who believes in the Son has everlasting life. And the one who doesn't believe the Son won't see life, but the anger of God stays on him.

King James Version, 1611

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.