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.
008:051 In most solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall have
obeyed my teaching he shall in no case ever see death."
008:052 "Now," exclaimed the Jews, "we know that you are possessed
by a demon. Abraham died, and so did the Prophets,
and yet *you* say, `If any one shall have obeyed my teaching,
he shall in no case ever taste death.'
008:053 Are you really greater than our forefather Abraham? For he died.
And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"
008:054 "Were I to glorify myself," answered Jesus, "I should have no
real glory. There is One who glorifies me--namely my Father,
who you say is your God.
008:055 You do not know Him, but I know Him perfectly; and were I to deny
my knowledge of Him, I should resemble you, and be a liar.
On the contrary I do know Him, and I obey His commands.
008:056 Abraham your forefather exulted in the hope of seeing my day:
and he saw it, and was glad."
008:057 "You are not yet fifty years old," cried the Jews, "and have
you seen Abraham?"
008:058 "In most solemn truth," answered Jesus, "I tell you that before
Abraham came into existence, I am."
008:059 Thereupon they took up stones with which to stone Him,
but He hid Himself and went away out of the Temple.
009:001 As He passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from his birth.
009:002 So His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned--this man
or his parents--that he was born blind?"
009:003 "Neither he nor his parents sinned," answered Jesus,
"but he was born blind in order that God's mercy might be
openly shown in him.
009:004 We must do the works of Him who sent me while there is daylight.
Night is coming on, when no one can work.