John 8:23-38

23Jesus said to them, “You’re from below. I’m from above. You’re from this world. I’m not from this world.

24For this reason I told you that you’ll die because of your sins. If you don’t believe that I am the one, you’ll die because of your sins.”

25The Jews asked him, “Who did you say you are?” Jesus told them, “I am who I said I was from the beginning.

26I have a lot I could say about you and a lot I could condemn you for. But the one who sent me is true. So I tell the world exactly what he has told me.”

27(The Jews didn’t know that he was talking to them about the Father.)

28So Jesus told them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you’ll know that I am the one and that I can’t do anything on my own. Instead, I speak as the Father taught me.

29Besides, the one who sent me is with me. He hasn’t left me by myself. I always do what pleases him.”

30As Jesus was saying this, many people believed in him.

31So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples.

32You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33They replied to Jesus, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. So how can you say that we will be set free?”

34Jesus answered them, “I can guarantee this truth: Whoever lives a sinful life is a slave to sin.

35A slave doesn’t live in the home forever, but a son does.

36So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free.

37I know that you’re Abraham’s descendants. However, you want to kill me because you don’t like what I’m saying.

38What I’m saying is what I have seen in my Father’s presence. But you do what you’ve heard from your father.”