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?

The Church and Its Leaders

3 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit^(A) but as people who are still worldly^(B)—mere infants^(C) in Christ. ² I gave you milk, not solid food,^(D) for you were not yet ready for it.^(E) Indeed, you are still not ready.

⁷ No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery^(A) that has been hidden^(B) and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age^(C) understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.^{(D) 9} However, as it is written:

Warning Against Falling Away^(A)

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.

³¹ The one who comes from above^(A) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.^(B) The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard,^(C) but no one accepts his testimony.^{(D) 33} Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the one whom God has sent^(E) speaks the words of God, for God^[a] gives the Spirit^(F) without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.^{(G) 36} Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,^(H) but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

2 Therefore, rid yourselves^(A) of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander^(B) of every kind. ² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,^(C) so that by it you may grow up^(D) in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.^(E)

¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven^(A) except the one who came from heaven^(B)—the Son of Man.^{[a](C) 14} Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,^(D) so the Son of Man must be lifted up,^{[b](E) 15} that everyone who believes^(F) may have eternal life in him.”^[c](G)

¹⁶ For God so loved^(H) the world that he gave^(I) his one and only Son,^(J) that whoever believes^(K) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.^{(L) 17} For God did not send his Son into the world^(M) to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.^(N)

⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”^[a](A)

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.^(A)