Jesus and Nicodemus

(Genesis 22:1–10, Romans 5:6–11)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to [Jesus] at night and said“Rabbi, we know that [You are] a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform [the] signs You are doing if God were not with him.”

3 

Jesus replied“Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.[fn]”

4 

“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked vvv“Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”

5 

Jesus answered,“Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and [the] Spirit. 6 Flesh is born of flesh, [but] spirit is born of the Spirit. 7 vvv Do not be amazed that I said‘You[fn] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but vvv you do not know where it comes {from} [or] where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

9 

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked

10 

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus“and vvv you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet vvv you people do not accept our testimony.

12 

If I have told you {about} earthly things and vvv you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you {about} heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the [One who] descended from heaven— the Son of Man, who is in heaven.[fn] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in Him vvv may not perish, but[fn] may have eternal life.[fn]

16 

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only[fn] Son, that everyone who believes in Him vvv shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God {did} not send His Son[fn] into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 18 Whoever believes in Him vvv is not condemned, but whoever vvv does not believe vvv has already been condemned, because vvv he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

19 

And this is the verdict The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and {does} not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that [what] he has done has been accomplished in God.”[fn]

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