The New Birth

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (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.”

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.”

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?”

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. That which is born of the flesh is (F)flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (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.”

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.”

Footnotes

  1. John 3:3 Or from above
  2. John 3:13 NU omits who is in heaven
  3. John 3:15 NU omits not perish but

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

24 For John was not yet cast into prison.

25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”

Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, [a] he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”

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?”

Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ The wind[b] blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”

10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things? 11 Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. 12 If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born[c] Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”

22 After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized; 24 for John was not yet thrown into prison. 25 Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”

27 John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. 33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys[d] the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Footnotes

  1. 3:3 The word translated “anew” here and in John 3:7 (ἄνωθεν) also means “again” and “from above”.
  2. 3:8 The same Greek word (πνεῦμα) means wind, breath, and spirit.
  3. 3:16 The phrase “only born” is from the Greek word “μονογενη”, which is sometimes translated “only begotten” or “one and only”.
  4. 3:36 The same word can be translated “disobeys” or “disbelieves” in this context.

耶穌和尼哥德慕談重生

有一個法利賽人,名叫尼哥德慕,是猶太人的官。 這人夜裏來見耶穌,對他說:「拉比,我們知道你是由 神那裏來作老師的;因為你所行的神蹟,若沒有 神同在,無人能行。」 耶穌回答他說:「我實實在在地告訴你,人若不重生[a],就不能見 神的國。」 尼哥德慕對他說:「人已經老了,如何能重生呢?豈能再進母腹生出來嗎?」 耶穌回答:「我實實在在地告訴你,人若不是從水和聖靈生的,就不能進 神的國。 從肉身生的就是肉身;從靈生的就是靈。 我說『你們必須重生』,你不要驚訝。 [b]隨着意思吹,你聽見風的聲音,卻不知道是從哪裏來,往哪裏去;凡從聖靈生的也是如此。」 尼哥德慕問他:「怎麼能有這些事呢?」 10 耶穌回答,對他說:「你是以色列人的老師,還不明白這些事嗎? 11 我實實在在地告訴你,我們所說的是我們知道的,我們所見證的是我們見過的,你們卻不領受我們的見證。 12 我對你們說地上的事,你們尚且不信,若對你們說天上的事,如何能信呢? 13 除了從天降下[c]的人子,沒有人升過天。 14 摩西在曠野怎樣舉蛇,人子也必須照樣被舉起來, 15 要使一切信他的人都得永生。

16 「 神愛世人,甚至將他獨一的兒子[d]賜給他們,叫一切信他的人不致滅亡,反得永生。 17 因為 神差他的兒子到世上來,不是要定世人的罪[e],而是要使世人因他得救。 18 信他的人不被定罪;不信的人已經被定罪了,因為他不信 神獨一兒子的名。 19 光來到世上,世人因自己的行為是惡的,不愛光,倒愛黑暗,這就定了他們的罪。 20 凡作惡的人都恨惡光,不來接近光,恐怕他的行為被暴露。 21 但實行真理的人就來接近光,為要顯明他的行為是靠 神而行的。」

耶穌和施洗約翰

22 這些事以後,耶穌和門徒到了猶太地區,在那裏他和他們同住,並且施洗。 23 約翰也在靠近撒冷哀嫩施洗,因為那裏水多,眾人都去受洗。 24 那時約翰還沒有下在監裏。

25 約翰的門徒和一個猶太人辯論潔淨的禮儀, 26 就來見約翰,對他說:「拉比,從前同你在約旦河的東邊,你所見證的那位,你看,他在施洗,眾人都到他那裏去了。」 27 約翰回答說:「若不是從天上賜的,人就不能得到甚麼。 28 你們自己可以為我作見證,我曾說,我不是基督,只是奉差遣在他前面開路的。 29 娶新娘的是新郎;新郎的朋友站在一旁聽,一聽見新郎的聲音就歡喜快樂。因此,我這喜樂得以滿足了。 30 他必興旺;我必衰微。」

從天上來的那一位

31 「從上頭來的是在萬有之上;出於地的是屬於地,他所說的也是屬於地。從天上來的是在萬有之上。 32 他把所見所聞的見證出來,只是沒有人領受他的見證。 33 那領受他見證的,就印證 神是真實的。 34  神所差來的說 神的話,因為 神所賜給他的聖靈是沒有限量的。 35 父愛子,已把萬有交在他手裏。 36 信子的人有永生;不信子的人得不到永生,而且 神的憤怒常在他身上。」

Footnotes

  1. 3.3 「重生」或譯「從上面而生」。
  2. 3.8 原文的「風」與「靈」同字。
  3. 3.13 有古卷加「仍舊在天」。
  4. 3.16 「他獨一的兒子」或譯「他的獨生子」;18節同。
  5. 3.17 「定世人的罪」或譯「審判世人」;18、19節同。