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John 1-3
New American Standard Bible

1 (A)In the beginning was (B)the Word, and the Word was (C)with God, and (D)the Word was God. 2 [a]He was in the beginning with God. 3 (E)All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him [b]not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4 (F)In Him was life, and the life was (G)the Light of mankind. 5 And (H)the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [c]grasp it.

The Witness John the Baptist

6 A man [d]came, one sent from God, and his name was (I)John. 7 [e]He came [f](J)as a witness, to testify about the Light, (K)so that all might believe through him. 8 [g](L)He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

9 [h]This was (M)the true Light [i]that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 10 He was in the world, and (N)the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not [j]know Him. 11 He came to His [k]own, and His own people did not [l]accept Him. 12 But [m]as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become (O)children of God, (P)to those who [n]believe in His name, 13 (Q)who were [o]born, not of [p]blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.

The Word Made Flesh

14 And (R)the Word (S)became flesh, and (T)dwelt among us; and (U)we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of (V)grace and (W)truth. 15 John *(X)testified about Him and called out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘(Y)He who is coming after me has proved to be [q]my superior, (Z)because He existed before me.’” 16 For of His (AA)fullness [r]we have all received, and [s]grace upon grace. 17 For (AB)the Law was given through Moses; (AC)grace and (AD)truth [t]were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 (AE)No one has seen God at any time; (AF)God the only Son, who is (AG)in the [u]arms of the Father, (AH)He has [v]explained Him.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

19 This is (AI)the testimony of John, when (AJ)the Jews sent priests and Levites to him (AK)from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “(AL)I am not the [w]Christ.” 21 And so they asked him, “What then? Are you (AM)Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.” “Are you (AN)the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am (AO)the voice of one calling [x]out in the wilderness, ‘Make the way of the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

24 And the messengers had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the [y]Christ, nor Elijah, nor (AP)the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying, “(AQ)I baptize [z]in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is (AR)He who comes after me, of whom I am not worthy even to untie the (AS)strap of His sandal.” 28 These things took place in Bethany (AT)beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing people.

29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him, and *said, “Behold, (AU)the Lamb of God who (AV)takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He in behalf of whom I said, ‘(AW)After me is coming a Man who has proved to be [aa]my superior, (AX)because He existed before me.’ 31 And I did not recognize [ab]Him, but so that He would be revealed to Israel, I came baptizing [ac]in water.” 32 And John (AY)testified, saying, “(AZ)I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 And I did not recognize [ad]Him, but He who sent me to baptize [ae]in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, (BA)this is the One who baptizes [af]in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen, and have testified that this is (BB)the [ag]Son of God.”

Jesus’ Public Ministry; First Converts

35 Again (BC)the next day John was standing [ah]with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, “Behold, (BD)the Lamb of God!” 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and *said to them, “What are you seeking?” They said to Him, “(BE)Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39 He *said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day; it was about the [ai]tenth hour. 40 (BF)One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first *found his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the (BG)Messiah” (which translated means [aj]Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of [ak](BH)John; you shall be called (BI)Cephas” (which is translated [al](BJ)Peter).

43 (BK)The next day He [am]decided to go to (BL)Galilee, and He *found (BM)Philip. And Jesus *said to him, “(BN)Follow Me.” 44 Now (BO)Philip was from (BP)Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 (BQ)Philip *found (BR)Nathanael and *said to him, “We have found Him of whom (BS)Moses wrote in the Law, and (BT)the prophets also wrote: Jesus (BU)the son of Joseph, from (BV)Nazareth!” 46 Nathanael said to him, “(BW)Can anything good be from Nazareth?” (BX)Philip *said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and *said of him, “Here is truly an (BY)Israelite, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before (BZ)Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “(CA)Rabbi, You are (CB)the Son of God; You are the (CC)King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He *said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see (CD)heaven opened and (CE)the angels of God ascending and descending on (CF)the Son of Man.”

Miracle at Cana

2 On (CG)the third day there was a wedding in (CH)Cana of Galilee, and the (CI)mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His (CJ)disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus *said to her, “[an](CK)What business do you have with Me, (CL)woman? (CM)My hour has not yet come.” 5 His (CN)mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it.” 6 Now there were six stone waterpots standing there (CO)for the Jewish custom of purification, containing [ao]two or three measures each. 7 Jesus *said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He *said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the [ap]headwaiter.” And they took it to him. 9 Now when the headwaiter tasted the water (CP)which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter *called the groom, 10 and *said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the guests (CQ)are drunk, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This beginning of His [aq](CR)signs Jesus did in Cana of (CS)Galilee, and revealed His (CT)glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

12 After this He went down to (CU)Capernaum, He and His (CV)mother, and His (CW)brothers and His (CX)disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

First Passover—Cleansing the Temple

13 (CY)The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus (CZ)went up to Jerusalem. 14 (DA)And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a whip of [ar]cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling (DB)the doves He said, “Take these things away from here; stop making (DC)My Father’s house a [as]place of business!” 17 His (DD)disciples remembered that it was written: “(DE)Zeal for Your house will consume me.” 18 (DF)The Jews then said to Him, “(DG)What sign do You show us [at]as your authority for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “(DH)Destroy this [au]temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 (DI)The Jews then said, “It took (DJ)forty-six years to build this [av]temple, and yet You will raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking about (DK)the [aw]temple of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His (DL)disciples (DM)remembered that He said this; and they believed (DN)the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at (DO)the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name as they (DP)observed His signs which He was doing. 24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, because (DQ)He knew all people, 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, (DR)for He Himself knew what was in mankind.

The New Birth

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named (DS)Nicodemus, a (DT)ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to [ax]Jesus at night and said to Him, “(DU)Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these [ay](DV)signs that You do unless (DW)God is with him.” 3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone (DX)is born [az]again he cannot see (DY)the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of (DZ)water and the Spirit, he cannot enter (EA)the kingdom of God. 6 (EB)That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born [ba]again.’ 8 (EC)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus responded and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are (ED)the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, (EE)we speak of what we know and (EF)testify of what we have seen, and (EG)you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 (EH)No one has ascended into heaven, except (EI)He who descended from heaven: (EJ)the Son of Man. 14 And just as (EK)Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must (EL)the Son of Man (EM)be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who [bb]believes will (EN)have eternal life in Him.

16 “For God so (EO)loved the world, that He (EP)gave His (EQ)only Son, so that everyone who (ER)believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God (ES)did not send the Son into the world (ET)to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. 18 (EU)The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of (EV)the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that (EW)the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for (EX)their deeds were evil. 20 (EY)For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. 21 But the one who (EZ)practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed [bc]as having been performed in God.”

John the Baptist’s Last Testimony

22 After these things Jesus and His (FA)disciples came into the land of Judea; and there He was spending time with them and (FB)baptizing. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there; and people were coming and being baptized— 24 for (FC)John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Then a matter of dispute developed on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about [bd](FD)purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “(FE)Rabbi, He who was with you (FF)beyond the Jordan, to whom you (FG)have testified—behold, He is baptizing and all the people are coming to Him.” 27 John replied, “(FH)A person can receive not even one thing unless it (FI)has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves [be]are my witnesses that I said, ‘(FJ)I am not the [bf]Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is (FK)the groom; but the friend of the groom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the groom’s voice. So this (FL)joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must [bg]increase, but I must [bh]decrease.

31 “(FM)He who comes from above is above all; (FN)the one who is only from the earth is of the earth and speaks of the earth. (FO)He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What He has seen and heard, of this He (FP)testifies; and (FQ)no one accepts His testimony. 33 The one who has accepted His testimony (FR)has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God (FS)sent speaks the words of God; (FT)for He does not give the Spirit [bi]sparingly. 35 (FU)The Father loves the Son and (FV)has entrusted all things to His hand. 36 The one who (FW)believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who (FX)does not [bj]obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Footnotes

  1. John 1:2 Lit This one
  2. John 1:3 One early ms nothing came into
  3. John 1:5 Or overpower
  4. John 1:6 Or came into being
  5. John 1:7 Lit This one
  6. John 1:7 Lit for testimony
  7. John 1:8 Lit That one; i.e., John
  8. John 1:9 I.e., the Word, Christ
  9. John 1:9 Or that enlightens every person coming into the world
  10. John 1:10 Or acknowledge
  11. John 1:11 Or own things, possessions, domain
  12. John 1:11 Or receive
  13. John 1:12 Or all who received
  14. John 1:12 Or trust in
  15. John 1:13 Or fathered
  16. John 1:13 Lit bloods
  17. John 1:15 Lit before me
  18. John 1:16 Lit we all received
  19. John 1:16 Lit grace for grace
  20. John 1:17 Lit came to be
  21. John 1:18 Lit chest; or possibly lap
  22. John 1:18 I.e., given a detailed account of
  23. John 1:20 I.e., Messiah
  24. John 1:23 Or out, In the wilderness make the way
  25. John 1:25 I.e., Messiah
  26. John 1:26 The Gr here can be translated in, with, or by
  27. John 1:30 Lit before me
  28. John 1:31 I.e., as the Messiah
  29. John 1:31 The Gr here can be translated in, with, or by
  30. John 1:33 I.e., as the Messiah
  31. John 1:33 The Gr here can be translated in, with, or by
  32. John 1:33 The Gr here can be translated in, with, or by
  33. John 1:34 One early ms Chosen One of
  34. John 1:35 Lit and
  35. John 1:39 I.e., about 4 p.m.
  36. John 1:41 Gr Anointed One
  37. John 1:42 Gr Joannes
  38. John 1:42 I.e., Rock or Stone in Gr
  39. John 1:43 Or resolved
  40. John 2:4 Lit What to Me and to you (an ancient idiom)
  41. John 2:6 About 18 or 27 gallons each; or 68 or 102 liters
  42. John 2:8 I.e., manager of the banquet
  43. John 2:11 I.e., confirming miracles
  44. John 2:15 Or pieces of rope
  45. John 2:16 Lit house
  46. John 2:18 Lit that You do these
  47. John 2:19 Or sanctuary
  48. John 2:20 Or sanctuary
  49. John 2:21 Or sanctuary
  50. John 3:2 Lit Him
  51. John 3:2 I.e., confirming miracles
  52. John 3:3 Or from above
  53. John 3:7 Or from above
  54. John 3:15 Or believes in Him will have eternal life
  55. John 3:21 Lit that they have been
  56. John 3:25 I.e., ceremonial washing
  57. John 3:28 Lit testify for me
  58. John 3:28 I.e., Messiah
  59. John 3:30 Or become greater
  60. John 3:30 Or become less important
  61. John 3:34 Lit from measure
  62. John 3:36 I.e., in belief
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John 1-3
New King James Version

The Eternal Word(A)

1 In the beginning (B)was the Word, and the (C)Word was (D)with God, and the Word was (E)God. 2 (F)He was in the beginning with God. 3 (G)All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 (H)In Him was life, and (I)the life was the light of men. 5 And (J)the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it.

John’s Witness: The True Light

6 There was a (K)man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a (L)witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might (M)believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that (N)Light. 9 (O)That[b] was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and (P)the world did not know Him. 11 (Q)He came to His [c]own, and His [d]own did not receive Him. 12 But (R)as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 (S)who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Word Becomes Flesh

14 (T)And the Word (U)became (V)flesh and dwelt among us, and (W)we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, (X)full of grace and truth.

15 (Y)John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, (Z)‘He who comes after me [f]is preferred before me, (AA)for He was before me.’ ”

16 [g]And of His (AB)fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For (AC)the law was given through Moses, but (AD)grace and (AE)truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 (AF)No one has seen God at any time. (AG)The only begotten [h]Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

A Voice in the Wilderness(AH)

19 Now this is (AI)the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 (AJ)He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you (AK)the Prophet?”

And he answered, “No.”

22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”

23 He said: (AL)“I am

(AM)‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’

as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 John answered them, saying, (AN)“I baptize with water, (AO)but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 (AP)It is He who, coming after me, [i]is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”

28 These things were done (AQ)in [j]Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The Lamb of God(AR)

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! (AS)The Lamb of God (AT)who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who [k]is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, (AU)therefore I came baptizing with water.”

32 (AV)And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, (AW)this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the (AX)Son of God.”

The First Disciples

35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, (AY)“Behold the Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they (AZ)followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was (BA)Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the [l]Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of [m]Jonah. (BB)You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, [n]A Stone).

Philip and Nathanael

43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found (BC)Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now (BD)Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found (BE)Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom (BF)Moses in the law, and also the (BG)prophets, wrote—Jesus (BH)of Nazareth, the (BI)son of Joseph.”

46 And Nathanael said to him, (BJ)“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, (BK)an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, (BL)You are the Son of God! You are (BM)the King of Israel!”

50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (BN)hereafter[o] you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Water Turned to Wine

2 On the third day there was a (BO)wedding in (BP)Cana of Galilee, and the (BQ)mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

4 Jesus said to her, (BR)“Woman, (BS)what does your concern have to do with Me? (BT)My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, (BU)according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted (BV)the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

11 This (BW)beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, (BX)and [p]manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

12 After this He went down to (BY)Capernaum, He, His mother, (BZ)His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple(CA)

13 (CB)Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 (CC)And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers [q]doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make (CD)My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, (CE)“Zeal for Your house [r]has eaten Me up.”

18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, (CF)“What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

19 Jesus answered and said to them, (CG)“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

21 But He was speaking (CH)of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, (CI)His disciples remembered that He had said this [s]to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

The Discerner of Hearts

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the (CJ)signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He (CK)knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for (CL)He knew what was in man.

The New Birth

3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 (CM)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for (CN)no one can do these signs that You do unless (CO)God is with him.”

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (CP)unless one is born [t]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 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?”

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (CQ)unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is (CR)flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 (CS)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.”

9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, (CT)“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 (CU)Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and (CV)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 (CW)No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man [u]who is in heaven. 14 (CX)And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so (CY)must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever (CZ)believes in Him should [v]not perish but (DA)have eternal life. 16 (DB)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten (DC)Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 (DD)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 (DE)“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, (DF)that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For (DG)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 (DH)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 (DI)and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near (DJ)Salim, because there was much water there. (DK)And they came and were baptized. 24 For (DL)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, (DM)to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all (DN)are coming to Him!”

27 John answered and said, (DO)“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, (DP)‘I am not the Christ,’ but, (DQ)‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 (DR)He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but (DS)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 (DT)He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 (DU)He who comes from above (DV)is above all; (DW)he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. (DX)He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And (DY)what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony (DZ)has certified that God is true. 34 (EA)For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit (EB)by measure. 35 (EC)The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 (ED)He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the (EE)wrath of God abides on him.”

Footnotes

  1. John 1:5 Or overcome
  2. John 1:9 Or That was the true Light which, coming into the world, gives light to every man.
  3. John 1:11 His own things or domain
  4. John 1:11 His own people
  5. John 1:12 authority
  6. John 1:15 ranks higher than I
  7. John 1:16 NU For
  8. John 1:18 NU God
  9. John 1:27 ranks higher than I
  10. John 1:28 NU, M Bethany
  11. John 1:30 ranks higher than I
  12. John 1:41 Lit. Anointed One
  13. John 1:42 NU John
  14. John 1:42 Gr. Petros, usually translated Peter
  15. John 1:51 NU omits hereafter
  16. John 2:11 revealed
  17. John 2:14 Lit. sitting
  18. John 2:17 NU, M will eat
  19. John 2:22 NU, M omit to them
  20. John 3:3 Or from above
  21. John 3:13 NU omits who is in heaven
  22. John 3:15 NU omits not perish but
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John 1-3
English Standard Version

The Word Became Flesh

1 (A)In the beginning was (B)the Word, and (C)the Word was with God, and (D)the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 (E)All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 (F)In him was life,[a] and (G)the life was the light of men. 5 (H)The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man (I)sent from God, whose name was (J)John. 7 He came as a (K)witness, to bear witness about the light, (L)that all might believe through him. 8 (M)He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 (N)The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet (O)the world did not know him. 11 He came to (P)his own,[b] and (Q)his own people[c] (R)did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, (S)who believed in his name, (T)he gave the right (U)to become (V)children of God, 13 who (W)were born, (X)not of blood (Y)nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And (Z)the Word (AA)became flesh and (AB)dwelt among us, (AC)and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of (AD)grace and (AE)truth. 15 ((AF)John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, (AG)‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from (AH)his fullness we have all received, (AI)grace upon grace.[e] 17 For (AJ)the law was given through Moses; (AK)grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 (AL)No one has ever seen God; (AM)the only God,[f] who is at the Father's side,[g] (AN)he has made him known.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

19 And this is the (AO)testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, (AP)“Who are you?” 20 (AQ)He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? (AR)Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you (AS)the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am (AT)the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight[h] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, (AU)“Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, (AV)“I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even (AW)he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, (AX)the Lamb of God, who (AY)takes away the sin (AZ)of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, (BA)‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but (BB)for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John (BC)bore witness: (BD)“I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and (BE)it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but (BF)he who sent me to baptize (BG)with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, (BH)this is he who baptizes (BI)with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[i] of God.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, (BJ)the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, (BK)“What are you seeking?” And they said to him, (BL)“Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.[j] 40 (BM)One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus[k] was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found (BN)the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of (BO)John. You shall be called (BP)Cephas” (which means (BQ)Peter[l]).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43 (BR)The next day Jesus decided (BS)to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now (BT)Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found (BU)Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom (BV)Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus (BW)of Nazareth, (BX)the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, (BY)“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, (BZ)an Israelite indeed, (CA)in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How (CB)do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, (CC)“Rabbi, (CD)you are the Son of God! You are the (CE)King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,[m] you will see (CF)heaven opened, and (CG)the angels of God ascending and descending on (CH)the Son of Man.”

The Wedding at Cana

2 On (CI)the third day there was a wedding at (CJ)Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with (CK)his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, (CL)“Woman, (CM)what does this have to do with me? (CN)My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there (CO)for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty (CP)gallons.[n] 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted (CQ)the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested (CR)his glory. And (CS)his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and (CT)his brothers[o] and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

13 (CU)The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus (CV)went up to Jerusalem. 14 (CW)In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make (CX)my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, (CY)“Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 So the Jews said to him, (CZ)“What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, (DA)“Destroy this temple, and in three days (DB)I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,[p] and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about (DC)the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, (DD)his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed (DE)the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Jesus Knows What Is in Man

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name (DF)when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus (DG)on his part did not entrust himself to them, because (DH)he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for (DI)he himself knew what was in man.

You Must Be Born Again

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named (DJ)Nicodemus, (DK)a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[q] (DL)by night and said to him, (DM)“Rabbi, (DN)we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do (DO)unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is (DP)born (DQ)again[r] he cannot (DR)see the kingdom of God.” 4 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?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born (DS)of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 (DT)That which is born of the flesh is (DU)flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[s] 7 (DV)Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[t] must be born (DW)again.’ 8 (DX)The wind[u] blows (DY)where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, (DZ)“How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel (EA)and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, (EB)we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but (EC)you[v] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 (ED)No one has (EE)ascended into heaven except (EF)he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[w] 14 And (EG)as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man (EH)be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes (EI)in him (EJ)may have eternal life.[x]

For God So Loved the World

16 “For (EK)God so loved (EL)the world,[y] (EM)that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not (EN)perish but have eternal life. 17 For (EO)God did not send his Son into the world (EP)to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 (EQ)Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (ER)believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 (ES)And this is the judgment: (ET)the light has come into the world, and (EU)people loved the darkness rather than the light because (EV)their works were evil. 20 (EW)For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, (EX)lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever (EY)does what is true (EZ)comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and (FA)was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for (FB)John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over (FC)purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, (FD)“Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, (FE)to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and (FF)all are going to him.” 27 John answered, (FG)“A person cannot receive even one thing (FH)unless it is given him (FI)from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, (FJ)‘I am not the Christ, but (FK)I have been sent before him.’ 29 (FL)The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. (FM)The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, (FN)rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 (FO)He must increase, but I must decrease.”[z]

31 (FP)He who comes from above (FQ)is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and (FR)speaks in an earthly way. (FS)He who comes from heaven (FT)is above all. 32 (FU)He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, (FV)yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony (FW)sets his seal to this, (FX)that God is true. 34 For he whom (FY)God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit (FZ)without measure. 35 (GA)The Father loves the Son and (GB)has given all things into his hand. 36 (GC)Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; (GD)whoever does not obey the Son shall not (GE)see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Footnotes

  1. John 1:4 Or was not any thing made. That which has been made was life in him
  2. John 1:11 Greek to his own things; that is, to his own domain, or to his own people
  3. John 1:11 People is implied in Greek
  4. John 1:14 Or only One, or unique One
  5. John 1:16 Or grace in place of grace
  6. John 1:18 Or the only One, who is God; some manuscripts the only Son
  7. John 1:18 Greek in the bosom of the Father
  8. John 1:23 Or crying out, ‘In the wilderness make straight
  9. John 1:34 Some manuscripts the Chosen One
  10. John 1:39 That is, about 4 p.m.
  11. John 1:40 Greek him
  12. John 1:42 Cephas and Peter are from the word for rock in Aramaic and Greek, respectively
  13. John 1:51 The Greek for you is plural; twice in this verse
  14. John 2:6 Greek two or three measures (metrētas); a metrētēs was about 10 gallons or 35 liters
  15. John 2:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
  16. John 2:20 Or This temple was built forty-six years ago
  17. John 3:2 Greek him
  18. John 3:3 Or from above; the Greek is purposely ambiguous and can mean both again and from above; also verse 7
  19. John 3:6 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit
  20. John 3:7 The Greek for you is plural here
  21. John 3:8 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit
  22. John 3:11 The Greek for you is plural here; also four times in verse 12
  23. John 3:13 Some manuscripts add who is in heaven
  24. John 3:15 Some interpreters hold that the quotation ends at verse 15
  25. John 3:16 Or For this is how God loved the world
  26. John 3:30 Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36
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John 1-3
Christian Standard Bible

Prologue

1 In the beginning(A) was the Word,(B) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.(C) 2 He was with God in the beginning.(D) 3 All things were created(E) through him,(F) and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life,[a](G) and that life was the light(H) of men. 5 That light shines(I) in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome[b] it.(J)

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.(K) 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.[c] 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify(L) about the light. 9 The true light(M) that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.[d](N)

10 He was in the world, and the world was created(O) through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive(P) him,(Q) he gave them the right(R) to be[e] children(S) of God,(T) to those who believe(U) in his name,(V) 13 who were born,(W) not of natural descent,[f] or of the will(X) of the flesh,(Y) or of the will of man,[g] but of God.(Z)

14 The Word(AA) became flesh(AB) and dwelt[h] among us. We observed his glory,(AC) the glory as the one and only(AD) Son[i] from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me(AE) ranks ahead of me,(AF) because he existed before me.’”)(AG) 16 Indeed, we have all received grace(AH) upon[j] grace from his fullness, 17 for the law was given through Moses;(AI) grace and truth(AJ) came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The one and only(AK) Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s(AL) side[k]—he has revealed him.(AM)

John the Baptist’s Testimony

19 This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem(AN) sent priests(AO) and Levites(AP) to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 He didn’t deny it but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”(AQ)

21 “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” (AR)

“I am not,” he said.

“Are you the Prophet?” (AS)

“No,” he answered.

22 “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord[l](AT)—just as Isaiah(AU) the prophet said.”

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.(AV) 25 So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with[m] water,”(AW) John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know him. 27 He is the one coming after me,[n](AX) whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.” 28 All this happened in Bethany[o] across the Jordan,(AY) where John was baptizing.

The Lamb of God

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,(AZ) who takes away the sin(BA) of the world! 30 This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know him,(BB) but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed(BC) to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit(BD) descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him.(BE) 33 I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’(BF) 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”[p](BG)

35 The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi”(BH) (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.[q]

40 Andrew,(BI) Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah”[r](BJ) (which is translated “the Christ”),(BK) 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus.

When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John.[s] You will be called Cephas”(BL) (which is translated “Peter”[t]).

Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus[u] decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip(BM) and told him, “Follow me.”

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida,(BN) the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael(BO) and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets(BP)): Jesus the son of Joseph,(BQ) from Nazareth.”(BR)

46 “Can anything good(BS) come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him.

“Come and see,” Philip answered.

47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here truly is an Israelite(BT) in whom there is no deceit.”

48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.

49 “Rabbi,”(BU) Nathanael replied, “You are the Son(BV) of God; you are the King of Israel!” (BW)

50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “Truly I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God(BX) ascending and descending(BY) on the Son of Man.”(BZ)

The First Sign: Turning Water into Wine

2 On the third day a wedding took place in Cana(CA) of Galilee.(CB) Jesus’s mother(CC) was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’s mother told him, “They don’t have any wine.”

4 “What has this concern of yours to do with me,[v](CD) woman?”(CE) Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 “Do whatever he tells you,” his mother told the servants.

6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification.(CF) Each contained twenty or thirty gallons.[w]

7 “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.”[x] And they did.

9 When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10 and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.”

11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana(CG) of Galilee.(CH) He revealed(CI) his glory,(CJ) and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this, he went down to Capernaum,(CK) together with his mother, his brothers,(CL) and his disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.

Cleansing the Temple

13 The Jewish Passover(CM) was near, and so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.(CN) 14 In the temple(CO) he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there. 15 After making a whip out of cords,(CP) he drove everyone out of the temple with their sheep(CQ) and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s(CR) house(CS) into a marketplace!”[y](CT)

17 And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal(CU) for your house will consume(CV) me.[z](CW)

18 So the Jews replied to him, “What sign will you show us for doing these things?”

19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple,[aa](CX) and I will raise it up in three days.”(CY)

20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build,[ab] and will you raise it up in three days?” (CZ)

21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.(DA) 22 So when he was raised from the dead,(DB) his disciples remembered that he had said this,(DC) and they believed the Scripture(DD) and the statement Jesus had made.

23 While he was in Jerusalem(DE) during the Passover Festival,(DF) many believed in his name(DG) when they saw the signs he was doing. 24 Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all 25 and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.(DH)

Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a man from the Pharisees(DI) named Nicodemus,(DJ) a ruler(DK) of the Jews. 2 This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi,(DL) we know that you are a teacher(DM) who has come from God,(DN) for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”(DO)

3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,[ac](DP) he cannot see the kingdom of God.”(DQ)

4 “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born(DR) of water and the Spirit,(DS) he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh(DT) is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit(DU) is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born(DV) again. 8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.(DW) So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”(DX)

9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

10 “Are you a teacher[ad] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. 11 “Truly I tell you,(DY) we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended(DZ) into heaven(EA) except the one who descended from heaven(EB) —the Son of Man.[ae](EC)

14 “Just as Moses(ED) lifted up the snake in the wilderness,(EE) so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may[af] have eternal life.(EF) 16 For God loved(EG) the world in this way:[ag] He gave[ah] his one and only(EH) Son,(EI) so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.(EJ) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn(EK) the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned,(EL) because he has not believed in the name(EM) of the one and only Son(EN) of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light(EO) has come into the world,(EP) and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates(EQ) the light and avoids it,[ai] so that his deeds(ER) may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by[aj] the truth comes to the light, so that his works(ES) may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Jesus and John the Baptist

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside, where he spent time with them and baptized.

23 John(ET) also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, 24 since John had not yet been thrown into prison.(EU)

25 Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples(EV) and a Jew[ak] about purification.(EW) 26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi,(EX) the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan,(EY) is baptizing—and everyone is going to him.”(EZ)

27 John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,(FA) but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’(FB) 29 He who has the bride(FC) is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly[al] at the groom’s voice. So this joy(FD) of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The One from Heaven

31 The one who comes from above(FE) is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms.[am] The one who comes from heaven is above all.(FF) 32 He testifies(FG) to what he has seen and heard, and yet no one accepts his testimony. 33 The one who has accepted his testimony has affirmed that God is true.(FH) 34 For the one whom God sent speaks God’s words, since he[an] gives the Spirit(FI) without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son(FJ) and has given all things into his hands.(FK) 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son[ao] will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.(FL)

Footnotes

  1. 1:3–4 Other punctuation is possible:... not one thing was created. What was created in him was life
  2. 1:5 Or grasp, or comprehend, or overtake; Jn 12:35
  3. 1:7 Or it (the light)
  4. 1:9 Or The true light who comes into the world gives light to everyone, or The true light enlightens everyone coming into the world.
  5. 1:12 Or become
  6. 1:13 Lit blood
  7. 1:13 Or not of human lineage, or of human capacity, or of human volition
  8. 1:14 Or and dwelt in a tent; lit and tabernacled
  9. 1:14 Son is implied from the reference to the Father and from Gk usage.
  10. 1:16 Or in place of
  11. 1:18 Other mss read The one and only Son, who is at the Father’s side
  12. 1:23 Is 40:3
  13. 1:26 Or in, also in vv. 31,33
  14. 1:27 Other mss add who came before me
  15. 1:28 Other mss read in Bethabara
  16. 1:34 Other mss read is the Chosen One of God
  17. 1:39 Lit about the tenth hour
  18. 1:41 Both Hb Messiah and Gk Christos mean “anointed one”
  19. 1:42 Other mss read “Simon, son of Jonah
  20. 1:42 Both Aramaic Cephas and Gk Petros mean “rock”
  21. 1:43 Lit he
  22. 2:4 Or “What does that have to do with you and me; lit “What to me and to you; Mt 8:29; Mk 1:24; 5:7; Lk 8:28
  23. 2:6 Lit two or three measures
  24. 2:8 Lit ruler of the table
  25. 2:16 Lit a house of business
  26. 2:17 Ps 69:9
  27. 2:19 Or sanctuary, also in vv. 20,21
  28. 2:20 Or was built forty-six years ago
  29. 3:3 Or from above, also in v. 7
  30. 3:10 Or the teacher
  31. 3:13 Other mss add who is in heaven
  32. 3:15 Other mss add not perish, but
  33. 3:16 Or this much
  34. 3:16 Or For in this way God loved the world, and so he gave, or For God so loved the world that he gave
  35. 3:20 Lit and does not come to the light
  36. 3:21 Lit who does
  37. 3:25 Other mss read and the Jews
  38. 3:29 Lit with joy rejoices
  39. 3:31 Or of earthly things
  40. 3:34 Other mss read since God
  41. 3:36 Or refuses to believe in the Son, or disobeys the Son
Listen to John 1-3
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John 1-3
New International Version

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word,(A) and the Word was with God,(B) and the Word was God.(C) 2 He was with God in the beginning.(D) 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.(E) 4 In him was life,(F) and that life was the light(G) of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness,(H) and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.(I)

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.(J) 7 He came as a witness to testify(K) concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.(L) 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light(M) that gives light to everyone(N) was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him,(O) the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.(P) 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed(Q) in his name,(R) he gave the right to become children of God(S)— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.(T)

14 The Word became flesh(U) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,(V) the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace(W) and truth.(X)

15 (John testified(Y) concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)(Z) 16 Out of his fullness(AA) we have all received grace(AB) in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses;(AC) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.(AD) 18 No one has ever seen God,(AE) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b](AF) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

19 Now this was John’s(AG) testimony when the Jewish leaders[c](AH) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”(AI)

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”(AJ)

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”(AK)

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,(AL) ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”[d](AM)

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with[e] water,”(AN) John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me,(AO) the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”(AP)

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan,(AQ) where John was baptizing.

John Testifies About Jesus

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,(AR) who takes away the sin of the world!(AS) 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’(AT) 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.(AU) 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water(AV) told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’(AW) 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[f](AX)

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus(AY)

35 The next day John(AZ) was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”(BA)

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi”(BB) (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).(BC) 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called(BD) Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[g]).(BE)

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip,(BF) he said to him, “Follow me.”(BG)

44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.(BH) 45 Philip found Nathanael(BI) and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law,(BJ) and about whom the prophets also wrote(BK)—Jesus of Nazareth,(BL) the son of Joseph.”(BM)

46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”(BN) Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite(BO) in whom there is no deceit.”(BP)

48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi,(BQ) you are the Son of God;(BR) you are the king of Israel.”(BS)

50 Jesus said, “You believe[h] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you,[i] you[j] will see ‘heaven open,(BT) and the angels of God ascending and descending(BU) on’[k] the Son of Man.”(BV)

Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.(BW) Jesus’ mother(BX) was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman,[l](BY) why do you involve me?”(BZ) Jesus replied. “My hour(CA) has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”(CB)

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing,(CC) each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[m]

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.(CD) He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs(CE) through which he revealed his glory;(CF) and his disciples believed in him.(CG)

12 After this he went down to Capernaum(CH) with his mother(CI) and brothers(CJ) and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

Jesus Clears the Temple Courts(CK)

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover,(CL) Jesus went up to Jerusalem.(CM) 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves,(CN) and others sitting at tables exchanging money.(CO) 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house(CP) into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[n](CQ)

18 The Jews(CR) then responded to him, “What sign(CS) can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”(CT)

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”(CU)

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body.(CV) 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.(CW) Then they believed the scripture(CX) and the words that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival,(CY) many people saw the signs(CZ) he was performing and believed(DA) in his name.[o] 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind,(DB) for he knew what was in each person.(DC)

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus(DD) who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.(DE) 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi,(DF) we know(DG) that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs(DH) you are doing if God were not with him.”(DI)

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[p]”(DJ)

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

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.(DK) 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[q] gives birth to spirit.(DL) 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[r] must be born again.’ 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.”[s](DM)

9 “How can this be?”(DN) Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,”(DO) said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know,(DP) and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.(DQ) 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? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven(DR) except the one who came from heaven(DS)—the Son of Man.[t](DT) 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,(DU) so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[u](DV) 15 that everyone who believes(DW) may have eternal life in him.”[v](DX)

16 For God so loved(DY) the world that he gave(DZ) his one and only Son,(EA) that whoever believes(EB) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.(EC) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world(ED) to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.(EE) 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,(EF) but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.(EG) 19 This is the verdict: Light(EH) has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.(EI) 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.(EJ) 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John Testifies Again About Jesus

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.(EK) 23 Now John(EL) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.)(EM) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.(EN) 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,(EO) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified(EP) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’(EQ) 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(ER) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.(ES) 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[w]

31 The one who comes from above(ET) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.(EU) The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard,(EV) but no one accepts his testimony.(EW) 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent(EX) speaks the words of God, for God[x] gives the Spirit(EY) without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.(EZ) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,(FA) but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Footnotes

  1. John 1:5 Or understood
  2. John 1:18 Some manuscripts but the only Son, who
  3. John 1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19.
  4. John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3
  5. John 1:26 Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice)
  6. John 1:34 See Isaiah 42:1; many manuscripts is the Son of God.
  7. John 1:42 Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) both mean rock.
  8. John 1:50 Or Do you believe … ?
  9. John 1:51 The Greek is plural.
  10. John 1:51 The Greek is plural.
  11. John 1:51 Gen. 28:12
  12. John 2:4 The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect.
  13. John 2:6 Or from about 75 to about 115 liters
  14. John 2:17 Psalm 69:9
  15. John 2:23 Or in him
  16. John 3:3 The Greek for again also means from above; also in verse 7.
  17. John 3:6 Or but spirit
  18. John 3:7 The Greek is plural.
  19. John 3:8 The Greek for Spirit is the same as that for wind.
  20. John 3:13 Some manuscripts Man, who is in heaven
  21. John 3:14 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
  22. John 3:15 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 21.
  23. John 3:30 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 36.
  24. John 3:34 Greek he
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