< John 3 >
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish religious council. He belonged to the Pharisee [religious sect].
ⲁ̅ⲛⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲫⲁⲣⲓⲥⲉⲟⲥ ⳿ⲉⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲓⲕⲟⲇⲏⲙⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲁⲣ ⲭⲱⲛ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ.
2 He went to see Jesus at night, [to talk to him about God’s kingdom]. He said to Jesus, “Teacher, [we believe that] you are a teacher who has come from God. [We believe this because] we know that someone could perform the miracles you are doing only if God were helping him.”
ⲃ̅ⲫⲁⲓ ⲁϥ⳿ⲓ ϩⲁ Ⲓⲏ̅ⲥ̅ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲉϫⲱⲣϩ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲣⲁⲃⲃⲓ ⲧⲉⲛ⳿ⲉⲙⲓ ϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲕ⳿Ⲓ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲫϯ ⳿ⲛⲣⲉϥϯ⳿ⲥⲃⲱ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ⳿ϣϫⲟⲙ ⲅⲁⲣ ⳿ⲛ⳿ϩⲗⲓ ⳿ⲉⲉⲣ ⲛⲁⲓⲙⲏⲓⲛⲓ ⲉⲧⲉⲕ⳿⳿ⲓⲣⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲁⲣⲉ⳿ϣⲧⲉⲙ ⲫϯ ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁϥ.
3 Jesus replied to him, “Listen to this carefully: Unless people are born again and [have a new life from God], they cannot even see the place where God rules [MET]!”
ⲅ̅ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ Ⲓⲏ̅ⲥ̅ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ ϯϫⲱ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲕ ϫⲉ ⲁⲩ⳿ϣⲧⲉⲙⲙⲉⲥ ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⳿ⲛⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ⳿ϣϫⲟⲙ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⳿ⲉⲛⲁⲩ ⳿ⲉϯⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫϯ.
4 Then Nicodemus said to him, “(No one can be born when he is old!/How can anyone be born when he is old?) [RHQ] (There is no way he can enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time!/How can he enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time?) [RHQ]”
ⲇ̅ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲕⲟⲇⲏⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲡⲱⲥ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⳿ϣϫⲟⲙ ⳿ⲛⲧⲟⲩⲙⲉⲥ ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⳿ⲛⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⳿ⲑⲣⲉϥⲉⲣϧⲉⲗⲗⲟ ⲙⲏ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⳿ϣϫⲟⲙ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥϣⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⳿ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲑⲛⲉϫⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲩ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲫⲙⲁϩ ⲥⲟⲡ ⲃ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲛⲧⲟⲩⲙⲁⲥϥ.
5 Jesus answered, “Note this: Being born naturally is not [enough]; people need to also be born [spiritually] by God’s Spirit. If that does not happen, they cannot experience God ruling [MET] [their lives].
ⲉ̅ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ Ⲓⲏ̅ⲥ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ ϯϫⲱ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲕ ϫⲉ ⲁⲩ⳿ϣⲧⲉⲙⲙⲉⲥ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ⳿ϣϫⲟⲙ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲓ ⳿ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⳿ⲉϯ ⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫϯ.
6 Humans give birth to humans. But those who are born [again] as a result of what [God’s] Spirit [does receive a new] spiritual [nature from God].
ⲋ̅ⲡⲓⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲧⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲟⲩⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⲟⲩⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⲡⲉ.
7 Do not be surprised about my telling you that you must be born again [and have a new life from God].
ⲍ̅⳿ⲙⲡⲉⲣⲉⲣ⳿ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓϫⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲕ ϫⲉ ϩⲱϯ ⳿ⲛⲧⲟⲩⲙⲉⲥ ⲑⲏⲛⲟⲩ ⳿ⲛⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ.
8 [Let me illustrate]: The wind blows wherever it wants to blow. You hear its sound, but you do not know where the wind comes from or where it is going. Similarly, those [who do not know God cannot understand/control/predict] how people are born again as a result of what God’s spirit [does].”
ⲏ̅ⲡⲓⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ⳿ϥⲛⲓϥⲓ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲫⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉϩⲛⲁϥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲕⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⳿ⲉⲧⲉϥ⳿ⲥⲙⲏ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⳿ⲕ⳿ⲉⲙⲓ ⲁⲛ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲑⲱⲛ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉϥⲛⲁ ⳿ⲉⲑⲱⲛ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅.
9 Nicodemus replied to him, “How can that happen?”
ⲑ̅ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲕⲟⲇⲏⲙⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲡⲱⲥ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⳿ϣϫⲟⲙ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ ϣⲱⲡⲓ.
10 Jesus replied to him, “You [(sg)] are a [well-known] teacher among [us] Israelite people, so (I am surprised that you do not understand these things!/how is it that you do not understand these things?) [RHQ]
ⲓ̅ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ Ⲓⲏ̅ⲥ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⳿ⲡⲥⲁϧ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲡⲓⲥ̅ⲗ̅ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲓ ⳿ⲕ⳿ⲉⲙⲓ ⳿ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲁⲛ.
11 Listen to this carefully: (My disciples and I/I) tell you [(pl)] about the things that my disciples and I have seen and know [are true], but you [(pl)] do not admit that what my disciples and I are saying [is true].
ⲓ̅ⲁ̅ⲁⲙⲏⲛ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ ϯϫⲱ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲕ ϫⲉ ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲉⲛⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲧⲉⲛⲥⲁϫⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲉⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲣⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲉⲧⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⲧⲉⲧⲉⲛϭⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲁⲛ.
12 I have told you about the things [that happen here] on earth that are true, but you [(pl)] do not believe me. So if I tell you [(sg)] about things [that happen] in heaven, (you certainly will not believe me!/how will you believe me?) [RHQ]
ⲓ̅ⲃ̅ⲓⲥϫⲉ ⲁⲓϫⲉ ⲛⲁ ⳿ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲛⲱⲧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉⲧⲉⲛⲛⲁϩϯ ⲡⲱⲥ ⲁⲓϣⲁⲛϫⲉ ⲛⲁ ⳿ⲧⲫⲉ ⲛⲱⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲧⲉⲛⲛⲁϩϯ.
13 I am the only one who has gone up to heaven; no one else has gone up there. I am also the one who came down from heaven. [So I know what happens there].
ⲓ̅ⲅ̅ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉ ⳿ϩⲗⲓ ϣⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲡϣⲱⲓ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲧⲫⲉ ⳿ⲉⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁϥ⳿ⲓ ⲉⲡⲉⲥⲏⲧ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲧⲫⲉ ⲉⲧⲉ ⳿ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲫⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲫⲏⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲧⲫⲉ.
14 [Long ago when the Israelite people rebelled against God] in the desolate area, [God sent poisonous snakes to bite them]. But when Moses lifted up [on a pole] the [model of a] poisonous snake, [everyone who looked at that model was healed from their snake bites]. Similarly, [even though I] am the one who came from heaven, [some day people] will lift me up [on a cross to kill me].
ⲓ̅ⲇ̅ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲙⲱ⳿ⲩⲥⲏⲥ ϭⲉⲥ ⲡⲓϩⲟϥ ⳿ⲛ⳿ϩⲣⲏⲓ ϩⲓ ⳿ⲡϣⲁϥⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ ϩⲱϯ ⲡⲉ ⳿ⲛⲧⲟⲩϭⲉⲥ ⳿ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲫⲣⲱⲙⲓ.
15 As a result, everyone who believes/trusts in me will have eternal life.” (aiōnios )
ⲓ̅ⲉ̅ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲑⲛⲁϩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉϥϭⲓ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲱⲛϧ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲉⲛⲉϩ. (aiōnios )
16 God loved us people [MTY] in the world so much that he gave his only Son [as a sacrifice for us], in order that everyone who believes in him would not be separated from God forever. Instead, they would have eternal life. (aiōnios )
ⲓ̅ⲋ̅ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲁ ⲫϯ ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧϥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉϥⲧⲏⲓϥ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲑⲛⲁϩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉϥ⳿ϣⲧⲉⲙⲧⲁⲕⲟ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉϥϭⲓ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩⲱⲛϧ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲉⲛⲉϩ. (aiōnios )
17 When God sent his Son into the world, his purpose was not to punish the [people in] [MTY] the world for their sins. Instead, he sent him in order that they might be saved by him {he might save them} [from being] ([guilty/punished]) [for their sins].
ⲓ̅ⲍ̅ⲛⲉⲧⲁ ⲫϯ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲁⲛ ⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉϥϣⲏ ⲣⲓ ⳿ⲉⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉϥϯϩⲁⲡ ⳿ⲉⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲧϥ.
18 Everyone who trusts in his Son, [God says that they] will not be punished {that he will not punish them}. But God has already [said that] everyone who does not trust in his Son will be punished {that he will punish everyone who does not trust in his Son}, because they have not trusted in what his only Son [has done for them].
ⲓ̅ⲏ̅ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲛⲁϩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϯϩⲁⲡ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲁⲛ ⲫⲏ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲉ⳿ⲛ⳿ϥⲛⲁϩϯ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲁⲛ ϩⲏⲇⲏ ⲁⲩⲟⲩⲱ ⲉⲩϯϩⲁⲡ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲙⲡⲉϥⲛⲁϩϯ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲫⲣⲁⲛ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲙⲟⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ ⳿ⲛϣⲏⲣⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫϯ.
19 The [one who was like a] light [MET] [to reveal God’s truth to us] came into the world. But people loved doing what was [evil, like] darkness [MET] [is evil], instead of loving the [one who was like a] light. That is the reason [God will] judge people [and condemn them].
ⲓ̅ⲑ̅ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓϩⲁⲡ ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲁϥ⳿Ⲓ ⳿ⲉⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲁⲩⲙⲉⲛⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲭⲁⲕⲓ ⲙⲁⲗⲗⲟⲛ ⳿ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲛⲟⲩϩⲃⲏⲟⲩ⳿ⲓ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ.
20 Everyone who does what is evil hates the [one who is like a] light, and they will not come to the [one who is like a] light, because it would be shown {[the one who is like a light] would show} that their deeds [are evil, and he would rebuke them].
ⲕ̅ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲧ⳿ⲓⲣⲓ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲡⲉⲧϩⲱⲟⲩ ⳿ϥⲙⲟⲥϯ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⳿ⲙⲡⲁϥ⳿ⲓ ϩⲁ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⳿ⲛⲧⲟⲩ⳿ϣⲧⲉⲙⲥⲟϩⲓ ⳿ⲛⲛⲉϥ⳿ϩⲃⲏⲟⲩ⳿Ⲓ ϫⲉ ⲥⲉϩⲱⲟⲩ.
21 But those who live according to [God’s] truth come to the [one who is like a] light, in order that it may be seen clearly {that people may see clearly} that the things they have done, they did them because [they have depended] on God.
ⲕ̅ⲁ̅ⲫⲏ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧ⳿ⲓⲣⲓ ⳿ⲛϯⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ ϣⲁϥ⳿ⲓ ϩⲁ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⳿ⲛⲧⲟⲩⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲛⲉϥ⳿ϩⲃⲏⲟⲩ⳿ⲓ ϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲫϯ.
22 Some time later Jesus and we disciples went to Judea district. He stayed with us there and [directed us as we] baptized people.
ⲕ̅ⲃ̅ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲁϥ⳿ⲓ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ Ⲓⲏ̅ⲥ̅ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉϥⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ϯⲓⲟⲩⲇⲉ⳿ⲁ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁϥⲭⲏ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲉⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ ⲉϥϯⲱⲙⲥ.
23 John [the Baptizer] was also baptizing people. He was doing that at Aenon [village] near Salim [town in Samaria district], because there were many springs in that area. [Many] people kept coming [to John] and were being baptized {he was baptizing them}.
ⲕ̅ⲅ̅ⲛⲁⲣⲉ ⳿ⲡⲕⲉⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲇⲉ ϯⲱⲙⲥ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲉⲛⲱⲛ ϧⲁⲧⲉⲛ ⲥⲁⲗⲓⲙ ϫⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲏϣ ⳿ⲙⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲩⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲩϭⲓⲱⲙⲥ ⲡⲉ.
24 That happened before John was put {they put John} in prison.
ⲕ̅ⲇ̅ⲛⲉ ⳿ⲙⲡⲁⲧⲟⲩϩⲓⲟⲩ⳿ⲓ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲛⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲡ⳿ϣⲧⲉⲕⲟ ⲡⲉ.
25 Then some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew started arguing about the Jewish rituals of washing things [to make them acceptable to God].
ⲕ̅ⲉ̅ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲟⲩⲛ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲍⲏⲧⲏⲥⲓⲥ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲟⲩⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ.
26 Then those disciples went to John and said to him, “Teacher, [do you remember] the man who was with you when you were baptizing people on the other side of the Jordan River? He is the one you were telling us about. Well, now he is baptizing people, and many people are going to him [instead of coming to us]!”
ⲕ̅ⲋ̅ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩ⳿ⲓ ϩⲁ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲡⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲣⲁⲃⲃⲓ ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲭⲏ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲕ ϩⲓⲙⲏⲣ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲓⲟⲣⲇⲁⲛⲏⲥ ⲫⲏ ⳿ⲛⲑⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲉⲕⲉⲣⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ϧⲁⲣⲟϥ ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲫⲁⲓ ⳿ϥϯⲱⲙⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲥⲉⲛⲏⲟⲩ ϩⲁⲣⲟϥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ.
27 John replied, “A person can become [important] only if God [MTY] permits it. [So] we [should not be jealous about Jesus being popular]!
ⲕ̅ⲍ̅ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱ ⳿ⲛϫⲉ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ⳿ϣϫⲟⲙ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ϭⲓ ⳿ϩⲗⲓ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲧϥ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧϥ ⲁⲩ⳿ϣⲧⲉⲙⲧⲏ ⲓⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲧⲫⲉ.
28 You yourselves can verify what I said. I told you that I am not (the Messiah/God’s promised king). Instead, I [told you that] I was sent {that [God] sent me} to prepare the way for him.
ⲕ̅ⲏ̅⳿ⲛⲑⲱⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲧⲉⲛⲉⲣⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⲛⲏⲓ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓϫⲟⲥ ⲛⲱⲧⲉⲛ ϫⲉ ⳿ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ Ⲡⲭ̅ⲥ̅ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲧⲁⲟⲩⲟⲓ ϧⲁϫⲱϥ ⳿ⲙⲫⲏ.
29 [Let me illustrate] [MET]: [He is like a] ([bridegroom/man who is being married]), [and I am like his friend]. The friend of the bridegroom stands there and waits [for him to come]. That friend is very happy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice [when he arrives]. Similarly, I am very happy [about what you have told me].
ⲕ̅ⲑ̅ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲉ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⳿ⲛⲧⲟⲧϥ ⳿ⲛⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲧϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⳿ⲡ⳿ϣⲫⲏⲣ ⲇⲉ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲡⲁⲧϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲡⲉⲧ⳿ⲟϩⲓ ⳿ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⲡⲉ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲣⲁϣⲓ ⳿ϥⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⳿ⲧ⳿ⲥⲙⲏ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲧϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲟⲩⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲣⲁϣⲓ ⳿ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲁϥϫⲱⲕ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ.
30 It is necessary for Jesus to become more important [by making more disciples than I have], and for me to become less [important].”
ⲗ̅ϩⲱϯ ⲟⲩⲛ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲁⲓⲁⲓ ⳿ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲧⲁⲑⲉⲃⲓ⳿ⲟ.
31 [Jesus] came from heaven. He is more important than anyone else. Those who are born from [parents here] on earth [MTY] are just humans, and they speak about things [that happen here] on the earth. But since Jesus came from heaven, his [words are] more important than anyone else’s.
ⲗ̅ⲁ̅ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲡϣⲱⲓ ⳿ϥⲥⲁ⳿ⲡϣⲱⲓ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲡⲓ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲟⲩ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϣⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⳿ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⳿ⲧⲫⲉ ⳿ϥⲥⲁ⳿ⲡϣⲱⲓ ⳿ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ.
32 He tells people what he has seen and what he heard [in heaven], but very few people [HYP] listen to what he says.
ⲗ̅ⲃ̅ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ⳿ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲥⲟⲑⲙⲉϥ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲉϥⲉⲣⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ⳿ϩⲗⲓ ϭⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲟⲥ.
33 Those who have accepted what he has said verify that what God has said is true.
ⲗ̅ⲅ̅ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲛⲁϭⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲁϥⲉⲣ⳿ⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲍⲓⲛ ϫⲉ ⲫϯ ⲟⲩ⳿ⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲡⲉ.
34 [We know it is true] because [Jesus], the one God sent, speaks the message of God. [That is also true] because God causes his Spirit to live [in Jesus] to completely [direct everything he says and does].
ⲗ̅ⲇ̅ⲫⲏ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲫϯ ⲟⲩⲟⲣⲡϥ ⲛⲓⲥⲁϫⲓ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⲉⲧⲉϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⳿ⲙⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲣⲉ ⲫϯ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲁⲛ ϯ ⳿ⲙⲡⲓⲡ͞ⲛⲁ̅ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϣⲓ.
35 God loves his Son, and has caused him to have control/power over everything.
ⲗ̅ⲉ̅⳿ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲙⲉⲓ ⳿ⲙ⳿ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲁϥⲧⲏⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⳿ⲉ⳿ϧⲣⲏⲓ ⳿ⲉⲛⲉϥϫⲓϫ.
36 Those who trust in [God’s] Son have eternal life. But those who reject God’s Son will never have [eternal] life. Instead, God is angry with them [and he will surely punish them]. (aiōnios )
ⲗ̅ⲋ̅ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲛⲁϩϯ ⳿ⲉⲡⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲟⲩⲟⲛⲧⲉϥ ⲱⲛϧ ⳿ⲛ⳿ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⳿ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲫⲏ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲓ ⳿ⲛⲁⲧⲑⲱⲧ ⳿ⲛϩⲏⲧ ⳿ⲉⲡⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ⳿ⲛⲛⲉϥⲛⲁⲩ ⳿ⲉ⳿ⲡⲱⲛϧ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⳿ⲡ⳿ϫⲱⲛⲧ ⳿ⲙⲫϯ ⲉϥ⳿ⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ϩⲓϫⲱϥ (aiōnios )