One of the Pharisees, a member of the council, was named Nicodemus. He
came to Jesus by night and said: Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher
come from God; for no man can do these signs that Thou doest, except God
be with him. Jesus answered: Except a man be born anew he cannot see the
Kingdom of God. Nicodemus said: How can a man be born when he is old? He
can not be born twice? Jesus answered: Verily, verily, I say unto thee:
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into
the kingdom of God. For that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Nicodemus answered: How can
these things be? Jesus answered: Art thou the teacher of Israel, and
understandest not these things? As Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up on the cross. For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(John 3:1-16.)