John 8:26-59

26 There are many things I could say about you, and many judgments I could make. However, the One who sent me is true; so I say in the world only what I have heard from him."

27 They did not understand that he was talking to them about the Father.

28 So Yeshua said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM [who I say I am], and that of myself I do nothing, but say only what the Father has taught me.

29 Also, the One who sent me is still with me; he did not leave me to myself, because I always do what pleases him."

30 Many people who heard him say these things trusted in him.

31 So Yeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted him, "If you obey what I say, then you are really my talmidim,

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

33 They answered, "We are the seed of Avraham and have never been slaves to anyone; so what do you mean by saying, `You will be set free'?"

34 Yeshua answered them, "Yes, indeed! I tell you that everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin.

35 Now a slave does not remain with a family forever, but a son does remain with it forever.

36 So if the Son frees you, you will really be free!

37 I know you are the seed of Avraham. Yet you are out to kill me, because what I am saying makes no headway in you.

38 I say what my Father has shown me; you do what your father has told you!"

39 They answered him, "Our father is Avraham." Yeshua replied, "If you are children of Avraham, then do the things Avraham did!

40 As it is, you are out to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Avraham did nothing like that!

41 You are doing the things your father does." "We're not illegitimate children!" they said to him. "We have only one Father -- God!"

42 Yeshua replied to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me; because I came out from God; and now I have arrived here. I did not come on my own; he sent me.

43 Why don't you understand what I'm saying? Because you can't bear to listen to my message.

44 You belong to your father, Satan, and you want to carry out your father's desires. From the start he was a murderer, and he has never stood by the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is speaking in character; because he is a liar -- indeed, the inventor of the lie!

45 But as for me, because I tell the truth you don't believe me.

46 Which one of you can show me where I'm wrong? If I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?

47 Whoever belongs to God listens to what God says; the reason you don't listen is that you don't belong to God."

48 The Judeans answered him, "Aren't we right in saying you are from Shomron and have a demon?"

49 Yeshua replied, "Me? I have no demon. I am honoring my Father. But you dishonor me.

50 I am not seeking praise for myself. There is One who is seeking it, and he is the judge.

51 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever obeys my teaching will never see death."

52 The Judeans said to him, "Now we know for sure that you have a demon! Avraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, `Whoever obeys my teaching will never taste death.'

53 Avraham avinu died; you aren't greater than he, are you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?"

54 Yeshua answered, "If I praise myself, my praise counts for nothing. The One who is praising me is my Father, the very one about whom you keep saying, `He is our God.'

55 Now you have not known him, but I do know him; indeed, if I were to say that I don't know him, I would be a liar like you! But I do know him, and I obey his word.

56 Avraham, your father, was glad that he would see my day; then he saw it and was overjoyed."

57 "Why, you're not yet fifty years old," the Judeans replied, "and you have seen Avraham?"

58 Yeshua said to them, "Yes, indeed! Before Avraham came into being, I AM!"

59 At this, they picked up stones to throw at him; but Yeshua was hidden and left the Temple grounds.