8:2 At dawn He went to the temple complex again, and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began to teach them.
8:3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. "
8:4 Teacher," they said to Him, "this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.
8:5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?"
8:6 They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger.
8:7 When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, "The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her."
8:8 Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.
8:9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center.
8:10 When Jesus stood up, He said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?""
8:11 No one, Lord," she answered. "Neither do I condemn you," said Jesus. "Go, and from now on do not sin anymore."
8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life."
8:13 So the Pharisees said to Him, "You are testifying about Yourself. Your testimony is not valid."
8:14 "Even if I testify about Myself," Jesus replied, "My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I'm going. But you don't know where I come from or where I'm going.
8:15 You judge by human standards. I judge no one.
8:16 And if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me judge together.
8:17 Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid.
8:18 I am the One who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me."
8:19 Then they asked Him, "Where is Your Father?" "You know neither Me nor My Father," Jesus answered. "If you knew Me, you would also know My Father."
8:20 He spoke these words by the treasury, while teaching in the temple complex. But no one seized Him, because His hour had not come.
8:21 Then He said to them again, "I'm going away; you will look for Me, and you will die in your sin. Where I'm going, you cannot come."
8:22 So the Jews said again, "He won't kill Himself, will He, since He says, Where I'm going, you cannot come?"
8:23 "You are from below," He told them, "I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
8:24 Therefore I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.""
8:25 Who are You?" they questioned. "Precisely what I've been telling you from the very beginning," Jesus told them.
8:26 "I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the One who sent Me is true, and what I have heard from Him--these things I tell the world."
8:27 They did not know He was speaking to them about the Father.
8:28 So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own. But just as the Father taught Me, I say these things.
8:29 The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him."
8:30 As He was saying these things, many believed in Him.
8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples.
8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.""
8:33 We are descendants of Abraham," they answered Him, "and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, You will become free?"
8:34 Jesus responded, "I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
8:35 A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever.
8:36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.
8:37 I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill Me because My word is not welcome among you.
8:38 I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father; therefore, you do what you have heard from your father.""
8:39 Our father is Abraham!" they replied. "If you were Abraham's children," Jesus told them, "you would do what Abraham did.
8:40 But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this!
8:41 You're doing what your father does."" We weren't born of sexual immorality," they said. "We have one Father--God."
8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn't come on My own, but He sent Me.
8:43 Why don't you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to My word.
8:44 You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars.
8:45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
8:46 Who among you can convict Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don't you believe Me?
8:47 The one who is from God listens to God's words. This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God."
8:48 The Jews responded to Him, "Aren't we right in saying that You're a Samaritan and have a demon?"
8:49 "I do not have a demon," Jesus answered. "On the contrary, I honor My Father and you dishonor Me.
8:50 I do not seek My glory; the One who seeks it also judges.
8:51 I assure you: If anyone keeps My word, he will never see death--ever!"
8:52 Then the Jews said, "Now we know You have a demon. Abraham died and so did the prophets. You say, If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste death--ever!'
8:53 Are You greater than our father Abraham who died? Even the prophets died. Who do You pretend to be?"
8:54 "If I glorify Myself," Jesus answered, "My glory is nothing. My Father--you say about Him, He is our God--He is the One who glorifies Me.
8:55 You've never known Him, but I know Him. If I were to say I don't know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word.
8:56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see My day; he saw it and rejoiced."
8:57 The Jews replied, "You aren't 50 years old yet, and You've seen Abraham?"
8:58 Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Before Abraham was, I am."
8:59 At that, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple complex.
Your support helps pay our hosting costs, and
- with a little bit extra -
lets us pay transcribers and proofreaders.
If you can help, Click here to become a Patreon:
www.patreon.com/IslamAwakened Thank you!