[1] (Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
[2] Early in the morning He went back to the house of God and all the people came to Him. He sat down and taught them.
[3] The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers came to Him. They brought a woman who had been caught doing a sex sin. They made her stand in front of them all.
[4] Then they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of doing a sex sin.
[5] Moses told us in the Law to throw stones and kill a woman like this. What do You say about it?”
[6] They were trying to set a trap to find something against Him. Jesus got down and began to write in the dust with His finger.
[7] They kept on asking Him. Then He stood up and said, “Anyone of you who is without sin can throw the first stone at her.”
[8] Again He got down and wrote in the dust.
[9] When they heard what He said, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones until they were all gone. Then Jesus was left alone with the woman.
[10] Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are those who spoke against you? Has no man said you are guilty?”
[11] She said, “No one, Sir.” Jesus said to her, “Neither do I say you are guilty. Go on your way and do not sin again.”)
[12] Jesus spoke to all the people, saying, “I am the Light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will not walk in darkness. He will have the Light of Life.”
[13] The proud religious law-keepers said to Him, “You are talking about Yourself. What You say about Yourself is not true.”
[14] Jesus said, “Even if I speak of Myself, what I am saying is true. I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going.
[15] You say as a man would say if people are guilty or not guilty. I am not saying anyone is guilty.
[16] But even if I did, it would be true. I am not alone. The Father Who sent Me is with Me.
[17] It is written in your Law that when two men agree about something, it proves it is true. (Deuteronomy 19:15)
[18] I speak for Myself and the Father Who sent Me speaks for Me.”
[19] The proud religious law-keepers asked Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus said, “You do not know Me or My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
[20] Jesus spoke these words near the money box while He taught in the house of God. No one put his hands on Jesus because His time had not yet come.
[21] Jesus spoke to the Jews again, saying, “I am going away. You will look for Me but you will die in your sins. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
[22] The Jews said, “Will He kill Himself because He said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?”
[23] He answered them, “You are from below. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
[24] That is why I said that you will die in your sins. If you do not believe that I am the Christ, you will die in your sins.”
[25] Then they said to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus answered, “The answer is the same as I told you from the beginning.
[26] I have much to say about you. I must say if you are guilty. But He Who sent Me is true. I tell the world the things I have heard from Him.”
[27] They did not understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father.
[28] Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, you will know that I am the Christ. I do nothing of Myself. I say these things as My Father has taught Me.
[29] He that sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone. I always do what He wants Me to do.”
[30] As Jesus said these things, many people put their trust in Him.
[31] He said to the Jews who believed, “If you keep and obey My Word, then you are My followers for sure.
[32] You will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”
[33] They said to Jesus, “We are children of Abraham. We have never been servants to anyone. What do you mean when You say, ‘You will be free’?”
[34] Jesus answered them, “For sure, I tell you, everyone who sins is the servant of sin because sin has a hold on him.
[35] And the servant does not belong in the house. The son belongs in the house.
[36] So if the Son makes you free, you will be free for sure.
[37] “I know that you are the children of Abraham. But you want to kill Me because My Word is not in your hearts.
[38] I speak of what I saw when I was with My Father. You do what you have seen your father do.”
[39] They said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said, “If you were children of Abraham, you would do what he did.
[40] I am a Man Who has told you the truth as I heard it from God. Now you are trying to kill Me. Abraham never did anything like that.
[41] You are doing the works of your father.” They said to Him, “We were born of parents who were faithful in marriage. We have one Father. He is God.”
[42] Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love Me. I came from God. I did not come on My own, but God sent Me.
[43] Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you do not want to hear My teaching.
[44] The devil is your father. You are from him. You want to do the sinful things your father, the devil, wants you to do. He has been a killer from the beginning. The devil has nothing to do with the truth. There is no truth in him. It is expected of the devil to lie, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
[45] I tell you the truth and that is why you do not put your trust in Me.
[46] Which one of you can say I am guilty of sin? If I tell you the truth, why do you not believe Me?
[47] Whoever is born of God listens to God’s Word. You do not hear His Word because you are not born of God.”
[48] The Jews said to Jesus, “Are we not right when we say You are from the country of Samaria, and You have a demon?”
[49] Jesus said, “No, I do not have a demon. I honor My Father. You do not honor Me.
[50] I am not looking for honor for Myself. There is One Who is looking for it. He says what is right from wrong.
[51] For sure, I tell you, if anyone keeps My Word, that one will never die.”
[52] Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know You have a demon. Abraham died. The early preachers died. You say, ‘If anyone keeps My Word, that one will never die.’
[53] Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died and the early preachers died. Who do You think You are?”
[54] Jesus said, “If I honor Myself, My honor would be worth nothing. My Father honors Me. You say He is your God.
[55] You have never known Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know the Father and obey His Word.
[56] Your father Abraham was glad that he was to see My coming. He saw it and was happy.”
[57] The Jews said to Jesus, “You are not even fifty years old. How could you have seen Abraham?”
[58] Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I was and am and always will be!”
[59] Then they picked up stones to throw at Him. Jesus hid Himself and left the house of God.