"Look,He is speakingpublicly,and they are sayingnothingto Him. The rulersdo not reallyknowthat thisis the Christ,do they?
The wickedfleewhen nooneis pursuing,But the righteousare boldas a lion.
"He will not be disheartenedor crushedUntilHe has establishedjusticein the earth;And the coastlandswill waitexpectantlyfor His law."
And they senttheir disciplesto Him, along with the Herodians,saying,"Teacher,we knowthat You are truthfuland teachthe wayof Godin truth,and deferto no one;for You are not partialto any.
Pilatesummonedthe chief priestsand the rulersand the people,
But the Phariseesand the lawyersrejectedGod'spurposefor themselves,not having been baptizedby John.
Neverthelessmanyevenof the rulersbelievedin Him, but becauseof the Phariseesthey were not confessing[Him], for fearthat they would be put out of the synagogue;
Jesusansweredhim, "I have spokenopenlyto the world;I alwaystaughtin synagoguesand in the temple,whereallthe Jewscome together;and I spokenothingin secret.
Nowthere was a manof the Pharisees,namedNicodemus,a rulerof the Jews;
"Come,seea manwhotoldme all the thingsthat I [have] done;thisis not the Christ,is it?"
Sosomeof the people of Jerusalemwere saying,"Is thisnot the man whomthey are seekingto kill?
But manyof the crowdbelievedin Him; and they were saying,"Whenthe Christcomes,He will not performmoresignsthan those whichthis manhas, will He?"
"Nooneof the rulersorPhariseeshas believedin Him, has he?
His parentssaidthisbecausethey were afraidof the Jews;for the Jewshad alreadyagreedthat ifanyoneconfessedHim to be Christ,he was to be put out of the synagogue.
Nowas they observedthe confidenceof Peterand Johnand understoodthat they were uneducatedand untrainedmen,they were amazed,and [began] to recognizethem as having beenwith Jesus.
and that mostof the brethren,trustingin the Lordbecause of my imprisonment,havefar morecourageto speakthe wordof Godwithout fear.
