John 1:9-13

Amplified Bible

⁹There it was—the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone.^(A) ¹⁰He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. ¹¹He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him. ¹²But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—^(B) ¹³who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].

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John 1:9-13

Contemporary English Version

⁹The true light that shines
on everyone
    was coming into the world.
¹⁰The Word was in the world,
    but no one knew him,
though God had made the world
    with his Word.
¹¹He came into his own world,
but his own nation
    did not welcome him.
¹²Yet some people accepted him
    and put their faith in him.
So he gave them the right
    to be the children of God.
¹³They were not God's children
by nature or because
    of any human desires.
God himself was the one
    who made them his children.

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John 1:9-13

New Living Translation

⁹The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

¹⁰He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. ¹¹He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. ¹²But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. ¹³They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

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John 1:9-13

The Voice

⁹The true Light, who shines upon the heart of everyone, was coming into the cosmos.

Jesus as the Light does not call out from a distant place but draws near by coming into the world.

¹⁰He entered our world, a world He made; yet the world did not recognize Him. ¹¹Even though He came to His own people, they refused to listen and receive Him. ¹²But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; ¹³He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will.

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John 1:9-13

The Message

^9-13The Life-Light was the real thing:
    Every person entering Life
    he brings into Light.
He was in the world,
    the world was there through him,
    and yet the world didn’t even notice.
He came to his own people,
    but they didn’t want him.
But whoever did want him,
    who believed he was who he claimed
    and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
    their child-of-God selves.
These are the God-begotten,
    not blood-begotten,
    not flesh-begotten,
    not sex-begotten.