Part 14

008:023 "You," He continued, "are from below, I am from above: you are of this present world, I am not of this present world.

008:024 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins; for, unless you believe that I am He, that is what will happen."

008:025 "You--who are you?" they asked. "How is it that I am speaking to you at all?" replied Jesus.

008:026 "Many things I have to speak and to judge concerning you. But He who sent me is true, and the things which I have heard from Him are those which I have come into the world to speak."

008:027 They did not perceive that He was speaking to them of the Father.

008:028 So Jesus added, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He. Of myself I do nothing; but as the Father has taught me, so I speak.

008:029 And He who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone: for I do always what is pleasing to Him."

008:030 As He thus spoke, many became believers in Him.

008:031 Jesus therefore said to those of the Jews who had now believed in Him, "As for you, if you hold fast to my teaching, then you are truly my disciples;

008:032 and you shall know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free."

008:033 "We are descendants of Abraham," they answered, "and have never at any time been in slavery to any one. What do those words of yours mean, `You shall become free'?"

008:034 "In most solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that every one who commits sin is the slave of sin.

008:035 Now a slave does not remain permanently in his master's house, but a son does.

008:036 If then the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed.

008:037 You are descendants of Abraham, I know; but you want to kill me, because my teaching gains no ground within you.

008:038 The words I speak are those I have learnt in the presence of the Father. Therefore you also should do what you have heard from your father."

008:039 "Our father is Abraham," they said. "If you were Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "it is Abraham's deeds that you would be doing.

008:040 But, in fact, you are longing to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth which I have heard from God. Abraham did not do that.

008:041 You are doing the deeds of your father." "We," they replied, "are not illegitimate children. We have one Father, namely God."

008:042 "If God were your Father," said Jesus, "you would love me; for it is from God that I came and I am now here. I have not come of myself, but *He* sent me.

008:043 How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words.

008:044 The father whose sons you are is the Devil; and you desire to do what gives him pleasure. *He* was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth--for there is no truth in him. Whenever he utters his lie, he utters it out of his own store; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

008:045 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me.

008:046 Which of *you* convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me?

008:047 He who is a child of God listens to God's words. You do not listen to them: and why? It is because you are not God's children."

008:048 "Are we not right," answered the Jews, "in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?"

008:049 "I am not possessed by a demon," replied Jesus. "On the contrary I honour my Father, and you dishonour me.

008:050 I, however, am not aiming at glory for myself: there is One who aims at glory for me--and who judges.