Free from Indwelling Sin

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, ^(A)who^[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ² For ^(B)the law of ^(C)the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from ^(D)the law of sin and death. ³ For ^(E)what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, ^(F)God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who ^(G)do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For ^(H)those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, ^(I)the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For ^(J)to be ^[b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because ^(K)the ^[c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, ^(L)nor indeed can be. ⁸ So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ¹⁰ And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of ^(M)Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, ^(N)He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies ^[d]through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Sonship Through the Spirit

^12 (O)Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For ^(P)if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you ^(Q)put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For ^(R)as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For ^(S)you did not receive the spirit of bondage again ^(T)to fear, but you received the ^(U)Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ^(V)“Abba,^[e] Father.” ^16 (W)The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then ^(X)heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, ^(Y)if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

From Suffering to Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that ^(Z)the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For ^(AA)the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For ^(AB)the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of ^[f]corruption into the glorious ^(AC)liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation ^(AD)groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have ^(AE)the firstfruits of the Spirit, ^(AF)even we ourselves groan ^(AG)within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the ^(AH)redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but ^(AI)hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For ^(AJ)we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but ^(AK)the Spirit Himself makes intercession ^[g]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now ^(AL)He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints ^(AM)according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those ^(AN)who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom ^(AO)He foreknew, ^(AP)He also predestined ^(AQ)to be conformed to the image of His Son, ^(AR)that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also ^(AS)called; whom He called, these He also ^(AT)justified; and whom He justified, these He also ^(AU)glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? ^(AV)If God is for us, who can be against us? ^32 (AW)He who did not spare His own Son, but ^(AX)delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? ^(AY)It is God who justifies. ^34 (AZ)Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, ^(BA)who is even at the right hand of God, ^(BB)who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

^37 (BD)Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor ^(BE)principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The New Birth

3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ^2 (A)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for ^(B)no one can do these signs that You do unless ^(C)God is with him.”

³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, ^(D)unless one is born ^[a]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, ^(E)unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is ^(F)flesh, 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 (G)The 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, ^(H)“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 (I)Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and ^(J)you 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 (K)No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man ^[b]who is in heaven. ^14 (L)And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so ^(M)must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever ^(N)believes in Him should ^[c]not perish but ^(O)have eternal life. ^16 (P)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten ^(Q)Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ^17 (R)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

^18 (S)“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, ^(T)that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For ^(U)everyone 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 ^(V)done 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 ^(W)and baptized. ²³ Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near ^(X)Salim, because there was much water there. ^(Y)And they came and were baptized. ²⁴ For ^(Z)John 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, ^(AA)to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all ^(AB)are coming to Him!”

²⁷ John answered and said, ^(AC)“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ^(AD)‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ^(AE)‘I have been sent before Him.’ ^29 (AF)He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but ^(AG)the 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 (AH)He must increase, but I must decrease. ^31 (AI)He who comes from above ^(AJ)is above all; ^(AK)he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. ^(AL)He who comes from heaven is above all. ³² And ^(AM)what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. ³³ He who has received His testimony ^(AN)has certified that God is true. ^34 (AO)For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit ^(AP)by measure. ^35 (AQ)The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. ^36 (AR)He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the ^(AS)wrath of God abides on him.”

A Samaritan Woman Meets Her Messiah

4 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and ^(AT)baptized more disciples than John ² (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), ³ He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. ⁴ But He needed to go through Samaria.

⁵ So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that ^(AU)Jacob ^(AV)gave to his son Joseph. ⁶ Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

⁷ A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” ⁸ For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

⁹ Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For ^(AW)Jews have no dealings with ^(AX)Samaritans.

¹⁰ Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the ^(AY)gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you ^(AZ)living water.”

¹¹ The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? ¹² Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”

¹³ Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, ¹⁴ but ^(BA)whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him ^(BB)will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

^15 (BC)The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”

¹⁷ The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”

Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ ¹⁸ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

¹⁹ The woman said to Him, “Sir, ^(BD)I perceive that You are a prophet. ²⁰ Our fathers worshiped on ^(BE)this mountain, and you Jews say that in ^(BF)Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

²¹ Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming ^(BG)when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. ²² You worship ^(BH)what you do not know; we know what we worship, for ^(BI)salvation is of the Jews. ²³ But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will ^(BJ)worship the Father in ^(BK)spirit ^(BL)and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ^24 (BM)God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

²⁵ The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah ^(BN)is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, ^(BO)He will tell us all things.”

²⁶ Jesus said to her, ^(BP)“I who speak to you am He.”

The Whitened Harvest

²⁷ And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”

²⁸ The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ²⁹ “Come, see a Man ^(BQ)who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” ³⁰ Then they went out of the city and came to Him.

³¹ In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”

³² But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”

³³ Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”

³⁴ Jesus said to them, ^(BR)“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to ^(BS)finish His work. ³⁵ Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes ^(BT)the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, ^(BU)for they are already white for harvest! ^36 (BV)And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that ^(BW)both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. ³⁷ For in this the saying is true: ^(BX)‘One sows and another reaps.’ ³⁸ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; ^(BY)others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

The Savior of the World

³⁹ And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him ^(BZ)because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. ⁴¹ And many more believed because of His own ^(CA)word.

⁴² Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for ^(CB)we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed ^[d]the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

Welcome at Galilee

⁴³ Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. ⁴⁴ For ^(CC)Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. ⁴⁵ So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, ^(CD)having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; ^(CE)for they also had gone to the feast.

A Nobleman’s Son Healed

⁴⁶ So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee ^(CF)where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain ^[e]nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷ When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. ⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to him, ^(CG)“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”

⁴⁹ The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”

⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. ⁵¹ And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”

⁵² Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” ⁵³ So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.

⁵⁴ This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.