Jesus and Nicodemus
(Romans 5:6–11)

1Now one of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, was there, a ruler of the Jews: 2who came to Jesus by night, and said to him, rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher sent from God: for no man can perform the miracles that you do, except God be with him. 3Jesus answered him, I declare unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4Nicodemus replied, how can a man be born when he is old? can he enter into his mother, and be born a second time? 5Jesus answered, I tell thee, except a man be renewed by the spiritual baptism, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6the cleansing of the body is only external, but the purification of the spirit is spiritual. 7be not surprized that I said to thee, you must be born again. 8the wind bloweth where it listeth, and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell whence it comes, or whither it goes: such is the change in every one that is renewed by the spirit.

9Nicodemus answered, how can that be? 10Jesus answered him, are you a doctor in Israel, and not know these things? 11I declare unto thee, we speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. 12if you don't believe when I tell you what is plain, how should you believe, if I tell you of things more sublime? 13for no man hath penetrated into the secrets of heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of man, who is in heaven. 14but as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up: 15that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life.

16for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. 17for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18he that believeth on him, shall not be condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the only begotten son of God. 19and this is the subject of their condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20for every one that doth evil, hateth the light, and shunneth the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21but he that doth right, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, because they are agreeable to the will of God.

John’s Testimony about Jesus

22After this Jesus went with his disciples into Judea, where he stay'd with them for some time, 23and baptized, while John was likewise baptizing in Enon, near Salim, it being a place abounding with water: so that people came to be baptized there. 24for John was not yet cast into prison.

25Now there happen'd to be a dispute about baptism between a Jews, and some of John's disciples: 26who thereupon went to John, and said, master, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bore testimony, he himself does now baptize likewise, and the people flock to him. 27but John made them this answer, a man can have no authority, but what he derives from heaven. 28you yourselves can bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but was only sent before him: 29the bridegroom is he that hath a right to the bride: as for the friend of the bridegroom, who is nigh his person and heareth him, he greatly rejoyces at the voice of the bridegroom: upon this account my joy is compleat. 30he must advance,

31but I must decline, he that cometh from above, is above all: he that is from the earth, is earthly, and his language is likewise earthly: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32and what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; but his testimony doth no man receive. 33he that hath received his testimony, hath set his seal to this, that God is true. 34for he whom God hath sent, saith nothing but what is divine: for God hath given him the spirit without restriction. 35the father loveth the son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36he that believeth on the son, hath a right to everlasting life: and he that disobeys the son, shall not enjoy life; but be expos'd to divine wrath.