Jọn 12
1 Ụbọchị isii tupu e mee Mmemme Ngabiga, Jisọs gara Betani bụ obodo Lazarọs, onye ahụ ọ mere ka o site nʼọnwụ bilie.
Six days before the Passover [celebration started], Jesus arrived in Bethany [village, along with us]. That was where Lazarus lived. He was the man Jesus [previously] caused to be alive again after he died.
2 Nʼebe ahụ, ha siiri Jisọs nri, ọ bụkwa Mata na-eje ozi isi nri ahụ, Lazarọs bụ otu onye nʼime ndị sooro ya nọdụ na nri ahụ.
There they gave a dinner to [honor] Jesus. Martha served the meal. [Her younger brother], Lazarus, was among the people who were eating with Jesus.
3 Mgbe ahụ, Meri weere mmanụ otite dị ọkara lita nke ezigbo naad, mmanụ isi ụtọ dị oke ọnụahịa, ọ wụkwasara ya Jisọs nʼụkwụ, jirikwa agịrị isi ya hichaa ụkwụ ya. Nke a mere ka ụlọ ahụ jupụta nʼisi ụtọ nke mmanụ otite ahụ.
Then Mary took [a bottle] of expensive perfume [called] nard and poured it on Jesus’ feet [to honor him]. Then she wiped his feet with her hair. The whole house was filled with the [beautiful] smell of the perfume.
4 Ma Judas Iskarịọt, otu nʼime ndị na-eso ụzọ ya, onye ahụ ga-arara ya nye, kwuru,
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, (OR, Judas, the man from Kerioth [Town]) objected. He was the one who later enabled Jesus’ enemies to seize him.
5 “Gịnị mere na-ereghị mmanụ otite a narị denarị atọ, were ego ya nye ndị ogbenye?”
He said, “(We should have sold this perfume and given [the money] to poor people!/Why did [we] not sell this perfume and give [the money for it] to the poor people?) [RHQ] We could have gotten 300 days’ wages for it!”
6 O kwughị nke a nʼihi na ihe banyere ndị ogbenye na-emetụ ya nʼobi kama nʼihi na ọ bụ onye ohi; dị ka onye na-ejide akpa ego ha, mgbe ụfọdụ, ọ na-amanye aka nʼego ahụ zubiri ego.
He said that, not because he cared about the poor people, but instead, because he was a thief. He was the one who kept the bag [of funds that people gave to help Jesus and us his disciples], and he often stole some of the money that was {that [people]} put into it.
7 Jisọs sịrị, “Hapụ ya aka, ọ zụtara ya ka ọ na-akwado maka ụbọchị olili m.
Then Jesus said, “Do not bother her! [She bought this perfume] in order to save it until the day when they will bury me [after I die].
8 Unu nwere ndị ogbenye nʼetiti unu mgbe niile, ma mụ na unu agaghị anọ mgbe niile.”
There will always be poor people among you, [so you can help them whenever you want to]. But I will not be with you much longer, [so it is good that she showed right now how much she appreciates me].”
9 Ma mgbe igwe ndị Juu nụrụ na ọ nọ nʼebe ahụ, ha bịara, ọ bụghị naanị ka ha hụ ya, kama ka ha hụkwa Lazarọs onye o mere ka o si na ndị nwuru anwụ bilie.
A large crowd of Jews heard [people say] that Jesus was there [in Bethany]. So they came, not only [to see] Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the man whom he had caused to become alive again after he died.
10 Ya mere, ndịisi nchụaja gbakwara izu igbukwa Lazarọs.
So the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus also,
11 Nʼihi na ọ bụ nʼihi ya ka ọtụtụ ndị Juu ji na-ahapụ ha ma na-ekwerekwa na Jisọs.
because many of the Jews were [deserting them and] going to Jesus and believing in him because of [Jesus causing] Lazarus [to be alive again].
12 Nʼechi ya oke igwe mmadụ ahụ ndị bịara mmemme nụrụ na Jisọs na-abịa Jerusalem.
The next day the huge crowd of people that had come [to Jerusalem] for the [Passover] celebration heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
13 Ha weere igu nkwụ pụọ izute ya na-eti mkpu, “Hozanna!” “Onye a gọziri agọzi ka onye ahụ bụ nke na-abịa nʼaha Onyenwe anyị!” “Ngọzị dịrị eze Izrel!”
So they [cut] branches from some palm trees and took the branches out [of the city] to [wave them when they] met him. Some of them were shouting things like, “Hooray!” “May the Lord [God] bless the one who is coming with his authority [MTY]!” Some other people were shouting, “[May God bless] the King of Israel!”
14 Jisọs hụrụ nwa ịnyịnya ibu, nọkwasị nʼelu ya, dị ka e dere ya,
When Jesus [came near to Jerusalem], he got a young donkey and sat on it [as he rode into the city]. By doing this, [he fulfilled] what had been written {what [a prophet] had written} [in Scripture],
15 “Atụla egwu, gị ada Zayọn! Lee, eze gị ka ọ na-abịa. Ọ nọkwasịrị nʼelu nwa ịnyịnya ibu.”
You people of Jerusalem, do not be afraid! Look! Your king is coming! He is riding on a donkey’s colt!
16 Na mbụ ndị na-eso ụzọ ya aghọtaghị ihe ndị a niile. Ma mgbe e nyesịrị Jisọs otuto, ka ha chetara na-edererị ihe ndị a banyere ya, na e mekwara ya rịị ihe ndị a.
At first [we] disciples did not understand those things. But after Jesus had returned to heaven, we realized that those things had been written {that [a prophet] had written those things} about him, and that [by] doing those things for him [the people had fulfilled what the prophet prophesied].
17 Igwe mmadụ ahụ bụ ndị ya na ha nọ mgbe o si nʼili kpọpụta Lazarọs, mee ka o sị nʼọnwụ bilie, gara nʼihu na-agba ama ya.
The crowd that was with him continued to tell other people that he called Lazarus to come out of the tomb, [and that Lazarus had then become alive again].
18 Ọtụtụ mmadụ pụrụ izute ya nʼihi na ha nụrụ akụkọ ọrụ ihe ịrịbama niile ọ rụrụ.
Because of that, many people, because they heard [others say] that he had performed this miracle, went to meet him.
19 Ya mere, ndị Farisii sịrịtara onwe ha, “Unu ahụla na o nweghị ihe unu pụrụ ime, leenụ ka ụwa niile na-eso ya.”
So the Pharisees said to each other, “It is obvious that we are making no progress [in trying to stop him! It looks like] [HYP] everyone [MTY] is becoming his disciple!”
20 Ma ụfọdụ ndị Griik so nʼime ndị ahụ bịara ife ofufe nʼoge mmemme ahụ.
Among those who went up [to Jerusalem] to worship [God] during the [Passover] celebration were some Greeks.
21 Ha bịakwutere Filip onye si Betsaida dị na Galili, gwa ya sị, “Nna anyị ukwu, anyị chọrọ ịhụ Jisọs.”
They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida [town] in Galilee [province]. They [wanted him] to do something for them. They said, “Sir, we would like to talk with Jesus.”
22 Filip pụrụ gaa gwa Andru, ya na Andru sooro gaa gwa Jisọs.
So after Philip went and told that to Andrew, they both went and told Jesus.
23 Jisọs zara sị, “Oge awa ahụ eruola mgbe a ga-enye Nwa nke Mmadụ otuto.
Then, [to show them that he must die in order to give eternal life to non-Jews like those Greeks], Jesus replied to them, “It is time for [God] to honor me, the one who came from heaven. [That will happen when I die].
24 Nʼezie, nʼezie, agwa m unu, ọ bụrụ na mkpụrụ ọka wiiti adaghị nʼala nwụọ, ọ ga-anọ naanị ya. Ma ọ bụrụ na ọ nwụọ, ọ ga-amị ọtụtụ mkpụrụ.
Listen to this carefully: [My life is like a seed] [MET]. If [someone] does not plant a kernel of grain in the ground, it does not change. It remains only one [seed]. But if it changes [after it is planted in the ground, it will grow and] produce many seeds.
25 Ndị ọbụla hụrụ ndụ ha nʼanya ga-atụfu ya, ebe ndị ọbụla kpọrọ ndụ ha asị nʼụwa a, ga-edebe ya ruo mgbe ebighị ebi. (aiōnios g166)
Anyone who strongly wants to keep on living [here on earth] will surely lose his life forever. But anyone who is willing to die [HYP] [for my sake] will surely gain eternal life. (aiōnios g166)
26 Onye ọbụla na-ejere m ozi aghaghị iso m; ebe m nọ ka onye na-ejere m ozi ga-anọkwa. Onye ọbụla na-ejere m ozi ka Nna m ga-asọpụrụ.
If [any of these Greeks or] anyone [else] wants to serve me, they must become my disciples. Then, [after they die], they will be where I am, [in heaven]. My Father will honor all those who serve me.
27 “Ugbu a, mkpụrụobi m jupụtara nʼihe mgbu. Gịnịkwa ka m ga-ekwu, Nna, zọpụta m nʼawa nke a? Mba! Ọ bụ nʼihi nke a ka m ji bịa nʼoge awa a.
Now I am deeply disturbed. (I do not know what to say./What shall I say?) [RHQ] Should I say, ‘[My] Father, save me from this time [when I will suffer and die!’]? No, [I should not say that, because] the reason I came ([into this world/from heaven]) was that I would [suffer] [MTY] now.
28 Nna, nye aha gị otuto.” Mgbe ahụ, otu olu siri nʼeluigwe bịa, “Enyela m ya otuto, m ga-enyekwa ya otuto ọzọ.”
My Father, show how great you are!” John 12:28b-36a Then [God] spoke [EUP] from heaven, saying, “I have already shown how great [I am], and I will do it again!”
29 Igwe ndị mmadụ guzo nʼebe ahụ, ndị nụrụ ya na-ekwu, “Ọ bụ egbe eluigwe gbara.” Ndị ọzọ na-asị, “Ọ bụ mmụọ ozi na-agwa ya okwu.”
The crowd that was there heard [it but they did not understand the words. Some said] it was thunder. Others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jisọs zara ma sị, “Olu a abịaghị nʼihi m kama ọ bịara nʼihi unu.
Jesus replied to them, “The voice that you heard speaking [was God’s voice, but] it was not for my benefit. It was for your benefit!
31 Ugbu a bụ oge a ga-ekpe ụwa a ikpe. Ugbu a ka a ga-achụpụ onye ahụ na-achị ụwa a.
Now is the time for [God] to judge [the people in] [MTY] the world. Now is the time when [I] will destroy [the power of Satan], the one who rules this world.
32 Ma mụ onwe m, mgbe e si nʼụwa welie m elu, aga m adọta mmadụ niile nye onwe m.”
But as for me, when I am lifted {when [men] lift me} up from the ground [on a cross, I will make a way for] gathering everyone to myself.”
33 O kwuru nke a iji gosi ụdị ọnwụ nke ọ gaje ịnwụ.
He said this to show us the way in which he was going to die.
34 Igwe mmadụ ahụ zara ya, “Anyị anụla site nʼakwụkwọ iwu na Kraịst ahụ ga-adị ndụ ruo mgbe ebighị ebi. Ma gịnị mere i ji asị na, ‘A ghaghị iweli Nwa nke Mmadụ elu’? Onye bụ ‘Nwa nke mmadụ a’?” (aiōn g165)
[Someone in] the crowd answered him, “We understand from the Scriptures that the Messiah will live forever. So why do you say that the one who came from heaven, [who is the Messiah], will be lifted up {that [men] will lift up the one who came from heaven, [who is the Messiah], } on a cross? What kind of man who came from heaven are you [talking about]? (OR, That’s not the [kind] of Messiah [we are expecting]!)” (aiōn g165)
35 Jisọs sịrị ha, “Ìhè ga-enwuru unu naanị nwa oge nta. Jegharịanụ nʼìhè a, ugbu a unu nwere ya, tupu ọchịchịrị abịakwasị unu. Onye na-ejegharị nʼọchịchịrị amaghị ebe ọ na-aga.
Then Jesus said to them, “[My message is like] [MET] a light for you. [I] will be with you for only a little while longer. Live and act [as you should] while I am still with you, [because suddenly you will have no more opportunity to hear my message! You do not want to be like] [MET] [someone] who cannot see where he is going any more [when it suddenly] becomes dark!
36 Kwerenụ nʼìhè ahụ ugbu a unu nwere ya ka unu ghọọ ụmụ nke ìhè.” Mgbe Jisọs kwusiri nke a ọ hapụrụ ha pụọ ga zoo onwe ya.
Believe in my message [MET] while you still have an opportunity to do it, in order that you may become people who have accepted my truth [MET]!” John 12:36b-43 After Jesus said those things, he left them and hid from them.
37 Nʼagbanyeghị ọrụ ịrịbama niile ọ rụrụ nʼetiti ha, ha ekwereghị na ya.
Although he had done many miracles while people were watching, [most of] them refused to believe that he [is] ([the Messiah/from God]).
38 Nke a bụ imezu ihe Aịzaya onye amụma kwuru, “Onyenwe anyị, onye kweere ozi anyị ọ bụkwa nʼahụ onye ka e kpugheere ogwe aka Onyenwe anyị?”
[Their stubbornness and refusal to believe was similar to the stubbornness of the people that] the prophet Isaiah wrote about long ago: Lord, (hardly anyone has believed our message!/who has believed our message?) [RHQ] Most people refused to accept it, even though you showed them your power!
39 Ma ha enweghị ike kwere, nʼihi na Aịzaya kwukwara nʼebe ọzọ, sị,
That was the reason why they were unable to believe. [It was like] Isaiah wrote somewhere else that God said:
40 “O meela ka ha kpuo ìsì, mekwa ka obi ha kpọchie Ka ha ghara iji anya ha hụ ụzọ maọbụ jiri obi ha ghọta ihe ọbụla Ka ha gharakwa ichigharị, ka m gwọọ ha.”
They have [refused to understand; they acted as though they were] blind people! They were insensible in their inner beings! As a result, they have not perceived [my truth]! They have not understood it in their inner beings! They have not turned [from their sinful lives], and because of that I cannot help them!
41 Aịzaya kwuru ihe ndị a nʼihi na ọ hụrụ ebube ya, ma kwuo banyere ya.
Isaiah wrote that because [it was as though] he saw [ahead of time] how great Jesus would be, and he prophesied [those things] about him.
42 Otu ọ dị, ọtụtụ nʼime ndịisi kweere na ya, ma ha ekwupụtaghị nke a. Nʼihi na ha tụrụ egwu na ndị Farisii ga-achụpụ ha site nʼụlọ ekpere.
Although most of the Jewish [leaders] [SYN] did not believe that Jesus is ([the Messiah/from God]), some of them believed in him. But they would not tell anyone that they believed in him, because [they were afraid that if they said that], the Pharisees would not let them worship in the synagogues.
43 Nʼihi na ha hụrụ otuto mmadụ nʼanya karịa otuto Chineke.
They wanted people to praise them more than they wanted God to praise them.
44 Jisọs tiri mkpu sị, “Onye ọbụla kwere na m, ọ bụghị na m ka o kwere, kama ọ bụ na onye nke zitere m.
[Another day, when] Jesus [was teaching the people, he] shouted, “Those who believe in me, they are not believing in [me alone]. Instead, [it is as though] they also believe in the one who sent me.
45 Nʼihi na onye ọbụla hụrụ m ahụla onye nke zitere m.
When they see me [and what I am doing, it is as though] they are seeing the one who sent me.
46 Abịara m nʼime ụwa dị ka ìhè ka onye ọbụla nke kwere na m ghara ịnọ nʼọchịchịrị.
I have come into the world [to show people God’s truth], as a light [shows people what is around them]. I have come in order that people who believe in me will not remain [ignorant of God’s truth] [MET], [as those who are] in the darkness [are ignorant of what is around them].
47 “Ma ọ bụrụ na onye ọbụla anụ okwu m ma ju ime ya, ọ bụghị m na-ekpe ya ikpe. Nʼihi na abịara m ịzọpụta ụwa, ọ bụghị ikpe ụwa ikpe.
As for those who hear my message but do not obey [its commands], I am not [the one who] judges them. [The main reason] that I came ([into the world/from heaven]) was not to judge [the people of] [MTY] the world. Instead, I came to save them [from being punished for their sins].
48 Onye ọbụla jụrụ m ma jụkwa okwu m, nwere onye ga-ekpe ya ikpe. Okwu niile m kwuru ga-ama ya ikpe nʼụbọchị ikpeazụ.
There is something that will judge those who reject me and do not accept my message. On the judgment day [God] will condemn them [because they rejected] the message that I have told them.
49 Okwu ndị a esiteghị nʼaka m. Ha sitere nʼaka Nna ahụ onye zitere m ma nyekwa m iwu ihe m ga-ekwu na otu m ga esi kwuo ya.
I have not said things from my own [authority]. Instead, [my] Father, the one who sent me, instructed me what to say and how I should say it.
