²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake^(A) realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone.^{(B) 23} Then some boats from Tiberias^(C) landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.^{(D) 24} Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

Jesus the Bread of Life

²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi,^(E) when did you get here?”

²⁶ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me,^(F) not because you saw the signs^(G) I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures^(H) to eternal life,^(I) which the Son of Man^(J) will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal^(K) of approval.”

¹⁶ For God so loved^(A) the world that he gave^(B) his one and only Son,^(C) that whoever believes^(D) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.^(E)

²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe^(A) in the one he has sent.”^(B)

²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(A) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(B)

Righteousness Through Faith

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God^(C) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.^{(D) 22} This righteousness^(E) is given through faith^(F) in^[a] Jesus Christ^(G) to all who believe.^(H) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,^{(I) 23} for all have sinned^(J) and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified^(K) freely by his grace^(L) through the redemption^(M) that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^[b](N) through the shedding of his blood^(O)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished^(P)— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign^(A) then will you give that we may see it and believe you?^(B) What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna^(C) in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’^[a]”^(D)

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven^(E) and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”^(A)

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am^(B) the bread of life.^(C) Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes^(D) in me will never be thirsty.^{(E) 36} But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. ³⁷ All those the Father gives me^(F) will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven^(G) not to do my will but to do the will^(H) of him who sent me.^{(I) 39} And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me,^(J) but raise them up at the last day.^{(K) 40} For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son^(L) and believes in him shall have eternal life,^(M) and I will raise them up at the last day.”