John 8
1 But Jesus went [with us disciples] to Olive [Tree] Hill [and we stayed near there that night].
but, Jesus, went unto the Mount of Olives.
2 Early the next morning, we returned to the Temple [courtyard]. Many people gathered around Jesus, so he sat down to teach them.
And, early in the morning, again, came he into the temple, and all the people were coming unto him; and, sitting down, he began to teach them.
3 Then men who taught the [Jewish] laws and some of [SYN] the Pharisee [religious group] brought a woman to him. She was seized {[They] had [arranged to] seize her} while she was having sex with a man who was not her husband. They made her stand up in front of the group [that was listening to Jesus].
And the Scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman, caught, in adultery; and, setting her in the midst,
4 Then they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was seized {[we] seized this woman} while she was having sex with a man who is not her husband.
they say unto him—Teacher! this woman, hath been caught in the very act of committing adultery!
5 Moses commanded us in the laws that [he gave us] that we should throw stones at such women [and kill them]. So what do you say [we should do]?”
Now, in the law, Moses, [unto us] gave command to stone, such as these. What, then, dost, thou, say?
6 They asked this question as a trap so that they could accuse him. [If he said that they should not kill her, they would shame him for disobeying the law of Moses. If he said that they should kill her, they could accuse him to the Roman governor]. But Jesus bent down and wrote something on the ground with his finger.
[This, however, they were saying, by way of testing him, —that they might have whereof to accuse him.] But, Jesus, stooping down, with his finger, wrote in the ground.
7 While they continued to question him, he stood up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has never sinned can be the first one to start throwing stones at her.”
When, however, they still continued questioning him, he lifted himself up and said [unto them]—He of you, that is without sin, let him first cast at her a stone;
8 Then he stooped down and wrote [some more] on the ground.
and, again stooping down, he wrote in the ground.
9 After they heard what he said, those [who were questioning him] went away, one by one, the older ones first [and then the younger ones, knowing they were all sinners]. Finally only Jesus was there, along with the woman.
And, they who heard, began to go out, one by one, beginning from the elders, —and he was left, alone; the woman also, being, in the midst.
10 Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one said you must die for your sin?”
And lifting himself up, Jesus said unto her—Woman, where are they? Hath, no one, condemned thee?
11 She said, “No, sir, no one.” Then Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go [home] now, and do not continue your sinful [life] any longer!”]
And, she, said—No one, Sir! And Jesus said—Neither do, I, condemn thee, —be going thy way: Henceforth, be sinning, no more.
12 Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am [like] a light [MET] for [all the people in] [MTY] the world. [Just like a light reveals what has been in the darkness] [MET], [I reveal God’s truth to them]. Those who walk in the darkness [are unaware of what is around them]. But those who become my disciples will always be aware [of God’s truth] [MET]. They will have my light [which shows them how to have eternal] life.”
Again, therefore, unto them, spake Jesus, saying—I, am the light of the world: He that followeth me, shall in nowise walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are just telling about yourself! [Since there is no one else to verify these things that you say about yourself], [we] do not [need to accept that] what you say is true.”
The Pharisees, therefore, said unto him—Thou, concerning thyself, bearest witness: thy witness, is not true.
14 Jesus replied, “Even if I were the [only one to] say these things about myself, what I say is true, because I know that I came from [heaven], and I know that I am going [back to heaven]. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.
Jesus answered, and said unto them—Even though, I, bear witness concerning myself, true, is my witness, because I know whence I came, and whither I go; but, ye, know not whence I come, and whither I go.
15 You judge people according to human standards. [The reason] that I am [here is] not (to condemn people/to say that I will punish people) [for their sins].
Ye, according to the flesh, do judge: I, am judging no one.
16 But if I did judge [people], what I decided would be correct, because I am not the [only] one [who will decide those things]. I and the one who sent me will both decide.
And, even if, I, am judging, my judging, is, genuine, —because, alone, am I not, but, I, and the Father who sent me;
17 It is written {[Moses] wrote} in your law that if [at least] two people testify that [some event has happened], [people should consider] that what they say is true.
And, in your own law, it is written, that, two men’s witness, is, true:
18 I am telling you about myself, and the other one who is telling you about me is [my] Father who sent me. [So you should believe that what we declare is true].”
I, am the one bearing witness of myself, and the Father who sent me is bearing witness concerning me.
19 Then they asked him, “[If you have a] father whom [we can question about you], where is he?” Jesus replied, “You do not know [who] I [really am]. If you knew who I [really am], you would know who my Father is also.”
They were saying unto him, therefore—Where, is thy father? Jesus answered—Neither, me, do ye know, nor yet my Father: If, me, ye had known, my Father also, had ye known.
20 He said these things when he was in the Temple [courtyard], near the place where the people put their offerings. [This was also very close to the place where the Jewish council met]. But no one seized him to arrest him, because it was not yet time [MTY] [for him to suffer and die].
These sayings, spake he in the treasury, teaching in the temple, and yet, no one, seized him, because, not yet, had come his hour.
21 Jesus also said to them, “I [will soon be] going away. Then [at the end of your life] you will seek me, but you will die [without God forgiving] your sins. Where I will go, you will not be able to come.”
He said unto them again, therefore—I, go, and ye shall seek me, —and yet, in your sin, shall ye die: Whither, I, go, ye, cannot come.
22 So the Jewish [leaders] said among themselves, “Is he going to kill himself? Is that the reason that he said, ‘Where I go, you will not be able to come’?”
The Jews, therefore, were saying—Can it be that he will kill himself, that he saith, Whither, I, go, ye, cannot come?
23 But Jesus continued by saying to them, “You were born here in this world, but I came from heaven. You belong to those who are opposed to God [MTY]. I do not belong to them.
And he was saying unto them—Ye, are, of the realms below, I, am, of the realms above: Ye, are, of this world, I, am not of this world.
24 I told you that you will die [without God forgiving] your sins. If you do not believe that I am [who I say that I am], you will die [without God forgiving] your sins.”
Therefore said I unto you, Ye shall die in your sins: For, if ye believe not that, I, am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25 So they said to him, “You! Who do you think you are?” Jesus said to them, “Ever since I began [teaching], I have been telling you who I am!
They were saying unto him, therefore—Who art, thou? Jesus said unto them—First and foremost, even what I speak unto you.
26 I could judge you and say that [you are guilty of] many things. But instead, [I will say only] what the one who sent me tells me to say. [What he says] is true, and I tell the people in the world [MTY] what I have heard from him.”
Many things, have I, concerning you, to speak, and to judge; but, he who sent me, is, true, and, I, what things I heard from him, the same, speak I unto the world.
27 They did not understand that he was talking about his Father [in heaven].
They noted not that, as touching the Father, unto them, he was speaking.
28 So Jesus said, “I am the one who came down from heaven, but when you lift me up [on a cross to kill me], you will know who I am. You will also know that I do not do anything with my own [authority]. Instead, I say just what [my] Father has taught me.
Jesus, therefore, said—Whensoever ye shall lift up the Son of Man, then, shall ye know, that, I, am he, and, of myself, am doing, nothing; but, just as the Father taught me, the same things, am I speaking.
29 He is the one who sent me, and he helps me. Because I always do the things that please him, he has never abandoned me.”
And, he that sent me, is, with me: He hath not left me, alone. Because, I, the things that please him, ever do.
30 As Jesus was saying these things, many people believed that he [was] ([from God/the Messiah]).
As he was speaking these things, many, believed on him.
31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who now said they believed in him, “If you continue to [live in accordance with] my message, you will truly be my disciples.
Jesus was saying, therefore, unto the Jews who had believed on him—If, ye, abide in my word, of a truth, my disciples, ye are;
32 Then you will know [God’s] truth, and as a result of [your believing his] truth, he [PRS] will free you [from being controlled by the one who has made you his slaves].”
And ye shall know the truth, and, the truth, shall make you free.
33 They replied to him, “We are descendants of Abraham. We have never been anyone’s slaves. So why do you say [we will] be freed [from being someone’s slaves]?”
They made answer unto him—Seed of Abraham, are we, and, unto no one, have been brought into bondage, at any time: How sayest, thou, Free, shall ye be made?
34 Jesus replied, “Listen carefully to what I am going to tell you. All those who continue to sin are [forced to obey] their sinful desires [MET], [just like] a slave [is forced to obey his master].
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you: Every one who committeth sin, is, a slave, [of sin: ]
35 A slave is not a permanent member of a family. But a son is a member of a family forever. [Similarly, you say you are members of God’s family because you are descendants of Abraham, but really, because you are like slaves of your sinful desires, you are no longer permanent members of God’s family]. (aiōn g165)
Now, the slave, doth not abide in the house, evermore. The Son, abideth, evermore. (aiōn g165)
36 So if you allow me to free you, you will truly be free.
If then, the Son, shall make you free, really free, shall ye be.
37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. But you are trying to kill me because [you are not] allowing [PRS] my message to continue [to change] your inner being.
I know that ye are, seed of Abraham; but ye are seeking to kill me, because, my word, findeth no place in you.
38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with [my] Father. But you do the things that you have heard from your father.”
What things, I, have seen with the Father, I am speaking; Ye, also, then, what things ye have heard from your father, are doing.—
39 They replied to him, “Abraham is our ancestor.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s descendants, [your character would be like Abraham’s character, and] you would do [good] things like Abraham did.
They answered and said unto him—Our father, is, Abraham. Jesus saith unto them—If, children of Abraham, ye are, the works of Abraham, are ye doing.
40 I have been telling you the truth that I heard from God, but you are trying to kill me. Abraham did not do things like that.
But, now, ye are seeking, to kill me, —A man who, the truth, unto you, hath spoken, which I have heard from God: this, Abraham, did not.
41 No! You are doing the things that your [real] father does.” They said to him, “[We do not know about you, but] we are not illegitimate children. And [spiritually], we have only one Father. That is God, and you do not know who your father is!”
Ye, are doing the works of your father. They said unto him—We, of fornication, were not born: One father, have we—God.
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, because I came from God, and now I have come here [to this world]. My coming was not (because I [appointed] myself/with my own [authority]). He sent me.
Jesus said unto them—If, God, had been your father, ye had been loving me, for, I, from God, came forth, and am here; for, not even of myself, have I come, but, he, sent me forth.
43 (And I will tell you why you do not understand what I say./Do you know why you do not understand what I say?) [RHQ] It is because you do not want to accept my message.
Wherefore, is it, that, my speech, ye do not understand? because ye cannot hear my word.
44 You belong to your father, (the devil/Satan), and you desire to do what he wants. He has [caused people to become] murderers from the time when [people] first [sinned]. He has abandoned [God’s] truth because he is a liar by his nature. Whenever he lies, he is speaking according to his [nature], because he is a liar and is the one who originates [MET] all lies.
Ye, are, of your father—the adversary, and, the covetings of your father, ye choose to be doing. He, was, a murderer, from the beginning, and, in the truth, he stood not; because truth is not in him: Whensoever he speaketh falsehood, of his own, he speaketh; because, false, he is, and, the father of it.
45 But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me!
But, as for me, because, the truth, I speak, ye do not believe me.
46 [Since I have never sinned], (none of you can show that I have sinned./can anyone among you show that I have sinned?) [RHQ] So, since I tell you the truth, (there is no good reason for your not believing me!/why is it that you do not believe me?) [RHQ]
Which of you convicteth me of sin? If, truth, I speak, wherefore, do, ye, not believe me?
47 Those who belong to God habitually obey God’s message. You do not belong to God, so you do not obey his message.”
He that is of God, heareth, the sayings of God; therefore, do, ye, not hear, because, of God, ye are not.
48 The Jewish [leaders] [SYN] replied to him, “(We are certainly right by saying that you [believe what is false as] the Samaritans [do]!/Are we not right by saying that you [believe what is false as] the Samaritans [do]?) [RHQ] And that (a demon/an evil spirit) [controls] you!”
The Jews answered, and said unto him—Do, we, not, well, say: Thou, art, a Samaritan, and hast a demon?
49 Jesus replied, “A demon does not [control] me! I honor my Father, and you do not honor me!
Jesus answered—I, have not, a demon, but honour my Father: and, ye, dishonour me.
50 I am not trying to honor myself. There is someone else who desires [to honor me], and he is the one who will judge [whether it is I who am telling the truth or whether it is you who are telling the truth].
But, I, seek not my glory: There is one who seeketh and judgeth.
Verily, verily, I say unto you: If anyone shall keep, my word, death, shall he not see, unto times age-abiding. (aiōn g165)
52 Then the Jewish [leaders] [SYN], [thinking that he was talking about ordinary death and not about spiritual death], said to him, “Now we are sure that a demon [controls] you! Abraham and the prophets died [long ago]! But you say that anyone who obeys what you teach will never die! (aiōn g165)
The Jews said unto him—Now, we know that, a demon, thou hast: —Abraham, died, and, the prophets, and yet, thou, sayest: If anyone shall keep, my word, in nowise shall he taste of death, unto times age-abiding. (aiōn g165)
53 (You are certainly not greater than our ancestor Abraham!/Do you think you are greater than our ancestor Abraham?) [RHQ] He died, and all the prophets died, so who do you think you are [by saying something like that]?”
Surely, thou, art not, greater, than our father Abraham, —who, indeed, died? and, the prophets, died: —Whom, makest thou thyself?
54 Jesus replied, “If I were honoring myself, that would be worthless. My Father is the one who you say is your God. He is the one who honors me.
Jesus answered—If, I, glorify myself, my glory, is nothing: It is, my Father, that glorifieth me, —of whom, ye, say—He is, your God!
55 Although you do not know him, I know him [and have a close relationship with him]. If I said that I did not know him, I would be a liar like you are. But I know him, and I obey what he says.
And yet ye have not come to know him; but, I, do know him: If I say, I know him not, I shall be like you—false; but I know him, and, his word, am I keeping.
56 Your ancestor Abraham was happy when he thought about what I would [do during] my life [MTY]. [It was as though] he saw that, and was happy.”
Abraham, your father, exulted that he should see my day; and he saw, and rejoiced.
57 Then the Jewish [leaders] [SYN] said to him, “You are not 50 years old yet! So (you certainly did not see him!/how could you have seen him?) [RHQ] [Because he died long ago]!”
The Jews, therefore, said unto him—Fifty years old, not yet art thou, and, Abraham, hast thou seen?
58 Jesus said to them, “The truth is that I existed before Abraham was born!”
Jesus said unto them—Verily, verily, I say unto you: Before, Abraham, came into existence, I, am.
59 So, [because they were very angry about Jesus thus saying that he] ([had eternally existed/was equal with God]), they picked up stones to throw at him [to kill him]. But [Jesus] caused them not to be able to see him, and he left the Temple courtyard.
They took up stones, therefore, that they might cast at him; but, Jesus, was hidden, and went forth out of the temple.
