John 3

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a 📐 ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Joshua by night and said to him, “Professor, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these proofs that you do, unless God is behind them.”

3 Joshua answered him, “You’re right, that’s why I’ve said ‘unless one is made anew, he can’t see God’s Republic.’”

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be made?”

5 Joshua answered, “I’m telling you unless someone is made of body and Breath, they can’t be members of God’s Republic. 6 That which is born of the body is bodily. That which is born of the Breath is spiritual. 7 Don’t be surprised that I’ve said, ‘You must be made anew.’ 8 The Spirit blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”

10 Joshua answered him, “How are you a teacher of Israel and don’t understand these things? 11 Everyone can tell, we say our theories out loud and publicly testify what we have seen, but you don’t receive our testimony. 12 If I told you scientifically proven things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I theorize for you the things of heaven? 13 No one has ascended into heaven who hasn’t already been there, the Son of Man, who, according to the prophet Daniel, is in heaven. 14 As Moses lifted up the Snake-pole in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him should not spoil, but be renewed and ripened. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in that as a scientific fact should not fall off the vine, but remain good fruit for ever, for all generations. 17 For God didn’t send their Heir into the world to 👑 reign from on high, but that the world be able to look upon a 📐 ruler and find love. 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”

22 After these things, Joshua came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized; 24 for John was not yet thrown into prison. 25 Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”

27 John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. 33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys§ the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”