²⁰ “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns^(A) and say that a ferocious animal^(B) devoured him.^(C) Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”^(D)

³ At one time^(A) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

²⁴ He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse^(A) on them in the name^(B) of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?”^(A) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,^(B) and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^(C)

¹⁰ So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, ¹¹ for on account of him^(A) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.^(B)

¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

²⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads^(A) and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,^{(B) 30} come down from the cross and save yourself!” ³¹ In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him^(C) among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! ³² Let this Messiah,^(D) this king of Israel,^(E) come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

⁴⁰ and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,^(A) save yourself!^(B) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”^{(C) 41} In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel!^(D) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe^(E) in him.