37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

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37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me,(A) because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,(B) and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[a](C)

39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,”(D) said Jesus, “then you would[b] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me,(E) a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.(F) Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.”(G)

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”(H)

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,(I) for I have come here from God.(J) I have not come on my own;(K) God sent me.(L) 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil,(M) and you want to carry out your father’s desires.(N) He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.(O)

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Footnotes

  1. John 8:38 Or presence. Therefore do what you have heard from the Father.
  2. John 8:39 Some early manuscripts “If you are Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then