John 8:33-59

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!”

39They answered him, “Abraham is our father!” Jesus replied, “If you are Abraham’s children, you would be doing the deeds of Abraham.

40But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do this!

41You people are doing the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Jesus, “We were not born as a result of immorality! We have only one Father, God himself.”

42Jesus replied, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come from God and am now here. I have not come on my own initiative, but he sent me.

43Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.

44You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

45But because I am telling you the truth, you do not believe me.

46Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?

47The one who belongs to God listens and responds to God’s words. You don’t listen and respond, because you don’t belong to God.”

48The Judeans replied, “Aren’t we correct in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?”

49Jesus answered, “I am not possessed by a demon, but I honor my Father – and yet you dishonor me.

50I am not trying to get praise for myself. There is one who demands it, and he also judges.

51I tell you the solemn truth, if anyone obeys my teaching, he will never see death.”

52Then the Judeans responded, “Now we know you’re possessed by a demon! Both Abraham and the prophets died, and yet you say, ‘If anyone obeys my teaching, he will never experience death.’

53You aren’t greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be?”

54Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worthless. The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you people say, ‘He is our God.’

55Yet you do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey his teaching.

56Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see my day, and he saw it and was glad.”

57Then the Judeans replied, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?”

58Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!”

59Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area.