⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^(A) into the world that we might live through him.^{(B) 10} This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us^(C) and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.^(D)

²² Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,^{(A) 23} that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.^(B)

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe^(A) in the one he has sent.”^(B)

²⁹ The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone,^(A) for I always do what pleases him.”^{(B) 30} Even as he spoke, many believed in him.^(C)

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,^(D) you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”^(E)

³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants^(F) and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.^{(G) 35} Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.^{(H) 36} So if the Son sets you free,^(I) you will be free indeed. ³⁷ I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me,^(J) because you have no room for my word. ³⁸ I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,^(K) and you are doing what you have heard from your father.^[a]”^(L)

³⁹ “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,”^(M) said Jesus, “then you would^[b] do what Abraham did. ⁴⁰ As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me,^(N) a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.^(O) Abraham did not do such things. ⁴¹ You are doing the works of your own father.”^(P)

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”^(Q)

⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,^(R) for I have come here from God.^(S) I have not come on my own;^(T) God sent me.^(U)