John 8:23-38

23Jesus replied, “You people are from below; I am from above. You people are from this world; I am not from this world.

24Thus I told you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”

25So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus replied, “What I have told you from the beginning.

26I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the Father who sent me is truthful, and the things I have heard from him I speak to the world.”

27(They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.)

28Then Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak just what the Father taught me.

29And the one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do those things that please him.”

30While he was saying these things, many people believed in him.

31Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples

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

33“We are descendants of Abraham,” they replied, “and have never been anyone’s slaves! How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”

34Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin.

35The slave does not remain in the family forever, but the son remains forever.

36So if the son sets you free, you will be really free.

37I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. But you want to kill me, because my teaching makes no progress among you.

38I am telling you the things I have seen while with the Father; as for you, practice the things you have heard from the Father!”