²⁹ It is just as Isaiah said previously:

Israel’s Unbelief

³⁰ What then shall we say?^(D) That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;^{(E) 31} but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness,^(F) have not attained their goal.^{(G) 32} Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.^{(H) 33} As it is written:

⁴³ Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil,^(A) and you want to carry out your father’s desires.^(B) He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.^{(C) 45} Yet because I tell the truth,^(D) you do not believe me! ⁴⁶ Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷ Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.^(E) The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Jesus’ Claims About Himself

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan^(F) and demon-possessed?”^(G)

⁴⁹ “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking glory for myself;^(H) but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. ⁵¹ Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”^(I)

⁵² At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed!^(J) Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham?^(K) He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself,^(L) my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.^{(M) 55} Though you do not know him,^(N) I know him.^(O) If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.^{(P) 56} Your father Abraham^(Q) rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it^(R) and was glad.”

⁵⁷ “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born,^(S) I am!”^{(T) 59} At this, they picked up stones to stone him,^(U) but Jesus hid himself,^(V) slipping away from the temple grounds.