John 3

Jesus and Nicodemus

1There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jewish people. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as a teacher, because no one can perform these signs you are doing unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless someone is born from above, they cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus asked, “How can a person be born when old? Surely he cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born!” 5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless someone is born of water and Spirit, they cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘All of you must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it wants. You hear its sound but do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus asked him, “How can these things happen?” 10Jesus replied, “You are the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet all of you do not receive our testimony. 12If I told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16For God loved the world in this way: he gave his one-of-a-kind Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him.