² “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually.

⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a](A) made his light shine in our hearts^(B) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(C)

⁸ For you were once^(A) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(B) 9} (for the fruit^(C) of the light consists in all goodness,^(D) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(E) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(F) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(G) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

Oil for the Lampstand^(A)

²⁰ “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil^(B) of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. ²¹ In the tent of meeting,^(C) outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law,^(D) Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps^(E) burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance^(F) among the Israelites for the generations to come.

¹⁸ to open their eyes^(A) and turn them from darkness to light,^(B) and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins^(C) and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’^(D)

¹⁵ so that you may become blameless^(A) and pure, “children of God^(B) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[a](C) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(D) that I did not run^(E) or labor in vain.^(F)

¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^(A) may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom^(B) and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened^(C) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called^(D) you, the riches^(E) of his glorious inheritance^(F) in his holy people,^(G)

Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am^(A) the light of the world.^(B) Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”^(C)

³⁵ John was a lamp that burned and gave light,^(A) and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.