If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe [it], how will you believe [it] if I tell you about heavenly things?
John 3:7 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) So, do not be surprised that I have said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ [See note on verse 3]. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above). American Standard Version (1901) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew. Common English Bible Don’t be surprised that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ Catholic Public Domain Version You should not be amazed that I said to you: You must be born anew. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again. |
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe [it], how will you believe [it] if I tell you about heavenly things?
Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above.” [Note: The words “from above” are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean “again,” or “anew” and refer to the source of a person’s second birth].
Whoever is born from human parents is a human being; and whoever is born from the Holy Spirit is a spiritual being.
The wind blows wherever it wants to, and you can hear the sound of it, without knowing where it came from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born from the Holy Spirit.”
“Do not be surprised at this: The time is coming when all those who are in their graves will hear His voice
[May you] give thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share [i.e., eventually] in the inheritance of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] in [the kingdom of] light.
Actively seek to live in peace with all people. And be dedicated to God, because no one will see God without this.
[Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another.
And there will never be anything [morally] unclean allowed to enter it, nor any person who practices disgusting behavior [i.e., probably such sins as sexual perversion], or [any person] who is a liar. But the only ones [allowed there] are those [whose names are] recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.