the Fourth Week of Advent
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John 8
1 Then Jesus went to the mount of olives. 2 but early in the morning he return'd to the temple, where all the people came to him; and being sat down, he instructed them. 3 then the Scribes and Pharisees brought a woman surprized in adultery; and when they had set her in the middle of the assembly, 4 they said to him, master, this woman was actually taken in adultery. 5 now Moses has ordain'd in the law, that such criminals should be stoned: but what is your opinion? 6 they said this only to ensnare him, that they might have some accusation against him. but Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. 7 and as they pressed him to answer, he rais'd himself, and said to them, he that is without sin among you, let him be the first that throws a stone at her. 8 then stooping down again, he wrote on the ground. 9 but they who heard that, being convicted by their own conscience, they all went old and young one after another, so that Jesus was left alone with the woman, who still kept her place. 10 then Jesus raising himself, and seeing none but the woman there, he said to her, woman, where are your accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 Lord, said she, no man. and Jesus said to her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12 Jesus then having reassumed his discourse, said to them, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 the Pharisees therefore said to him, you give a testimony of your self, your testimony is not valid. 14 Jesus answered them, though I give testimony of my self, yet my testimony is valid: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but you do not know whence I came, nor whither I go. 15 you pass sentence according to your passions: I pass sentence on no man; 16 and yet if I did judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I am with the father who has sent me. 17 now it is written in your law, that the testimony of two men is valid. 18 I indeed do bear testimony of my self, but the father, who has sent me, beareth witness of me likewise. 19 then said they to him, where is thy father: Jesus answered, ye neither know me, nor my father: if ye knew me, ye would have known my father also. 20 Jesus delivered this discourse in the treasury, when he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him, for his hour was not yet come.
21 Jesus therefore repeated what he had said, "I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your incredulity, so that whither I go, ye cannot come." 22 then said the Jews, what, will he kill himself? that he says, "whither I go, you cannot come." 23 and he said to them, ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 therefore I said to you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if you don't believe me to be what I am, ye shall die in your sins. 25 then said they to him, what art thou? and Jesus answered them, I am what I just now told you. 26 I have many things to say against you: but I only say He that sent me is worthy of belief; and what I have heard of Him, that only I publish to the world. 27 but they did not perceive that he meant the father. 28 Jesus said therefore to them, when ye have lift up the son of man, then shall ye know what I am, and that I do nothing of my self, but speak as my father hath instructed me. 29 he that sent me, is with me: the father hath not left me alone, for I always do what is agreeable to him. 30 upon this discourse many believed on him.
31 Jesus said therefore to those Jews who believed on him, if you adhere to my doctrine, then will you be my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, 32 and the truth shall make you free. 33 they answered him, we are Abraham's offspring, and were never slaves to any man: why then do you say, "ye shall be made free?" 34 Jesus answered them, I declare unto you, whosoever committeth sin, is a slave to sin. 35 a slave has no right to be in the house for life: but the son is settled there. 36 if the son therefore shall make you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham's offspring; but ye seek to kill me, because my doctrine doth not penetrate into you.
38 what I have learnt from my father, that I tell: and what you have learnt from your father, that you do. 39 they answered him, Abraham is our father. if you were Abraham's children, said Jesus, you would act like Abraham. 40 but now ye seek to kill me, the man who has told you the truth, such as I have learnt it of God: Abraham did not act thus. 41 your actions are like your father. at this they reply'd, we are no bastards; we have but one father, even God. 42 Jesus said to them, if God were your father, ye would love me: for I was commissioned by God to come; I did not come of my self, but he sent me. 43 why do not you understand my language? unless because ye cannot bear my doctrine? 44 you, who have the devil for your father, will execute the designs of your father: he was a murderer from the beginning, and deserted the truth, since he has no love for the truth: when he lyes, he speaks like himself: for he is a lyar, and the father of a lyar. 45 but as to me, because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me.
46 which of you can convict me of sin? if then I say the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 he that is of God, does therefore observe what God says: which you do not observe, because ye are not of God. 48 The Jews answered, and said to him, are we not in the right to say, that you are a Samaritan, and are really mad? 49 Jesus answered, I am not mad; but I honour my father, and you dishonour me. 50 I do not consult my own glory: there is one that will consult that, and judge accordingly.
51 verily, verily, I say unto you, whoever observes my doctrine, shall never die. 52 upon this said the Jews to him, now we plainly perceive you are mad. Abraham is dead, and the prophets too; and yet you say, if a man observes your doctrine, he shall never die. 53 are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? the prophets likewise are dead: pray, what do you then pretend to be? 54 Jesus answered, if I honour'd my self, my honour would be vain: it is my father that honoureth me, of whom ye say, that he is your God. 55 yet ye have not known him, but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I should be a lyar like you: but I know him, and observe his commands. 56 your father Abraham long'd to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 then said the Jews to him, you are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said to them, verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was I AM. 59 then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus was conceal'd by the crowd which he pass'd thro', and so got out of the temple.