Jesus and Nicodemus
(Romans 5:6–11)

1Now there was a man of the pharisees, whose name was Nicodemus, a ruler among the Jews: 2who came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for none can do these miracles which thou dost, unless God be with him. 3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily verily I tell thee, Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5Jesus answered, I tell thee of a truth, Unless a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That, which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that, which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. 7Do not wonder that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8As the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound of it, but knowest not whence it cometh, or whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9Nicodemus answered and said unto Him, How can these things be? 10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a teacher of Israel and knowest not these things? 11I assure thee, that we speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; though ye receive not our testimony. 12If I have told you earthly things and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I should tell you heavenly ones? 13For no one hath ascended up into heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven. 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15that whosoever believeth on Him may not perish, but have eternal life.

16For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him might not perish, but have everlasting life: 17for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved by Him. 18He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not, is already condemned; because he hath not believed on the name of the only-begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doth evil, hateth the light; and he cometh not to the light, least his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that acts according to truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John’s Testimony about Jesus

22After these things came Jesus, and his disciples into the land of Judea: and He stayed with them there, and baptized. 23And John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim; because there was much water there: and people came to him and were baptized. 24For John was not yet cast into prison.

25Now there arose a dispute between some of the disciples of John, and the Jews, about purifying. 26And they came to John, and said unto him, Rabbi, He that was with thee on the other side Jordan, to whom thou barest testimony, behold, He baptizeth and all the people come to Him. 27John answered and said, A man can take nothing upon him, unless it be given him from heaven. 28Ye your selves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but am sent before Him. 29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with great joy at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore my joy is complete. 30He must increase, but I must decrease.

31He, that cometh from above, is above all: he that is of the earth, is earthly, and talketh like one of the earth: 32but He that cometh from heaven, is above all: and what He hath seen and heard, this He testifieth: and yet scarce any one receiveth his testimony. 33He that hath received his testimony, hath set his seal to this, that God is true: 34for He, whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth the Spirit to Him not by measure. 35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all into his hand: 36wherefore he that believeth on the Son, hath eternal life; and he that obeyeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.