New International Reader's Version

John 7:30-45 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

30. When he said this, they tried to arrest him. But no one laid a hand on him. His time had not yet come.

31. Still, many people in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "How will it be when the Christ comes? Will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"

32. The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering things like this about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.

33. Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time. Then I will go to the One who sent me.

34. You will look for me, but you won't find me. You can't come where I am going."

35. The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man plan to go? Does he think we can't find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks? Will he go there to teach the Greeks?

36. What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you won't find me'? And, 'You can't come where I am going'?"

37. It was the last and most important day of the Feast. Jesus stood up and spoke in a loud voice. He said, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.

38. Does anyone believe in me? Then, just as Scripture says, streams of living water will flow from inside him."

39. When he said this, he meant the Holy Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus would receive the Spirit later. Up to that time, the Spirit had not been given. This was because Jesus had not yet received glory.

40. When some of the people heard his words, they said, "This man must be the Prophet we've been expecting."

41. Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee?

42. Doesn't Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family? Doesn't it say that he will come from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"

43. So the people did not agree about who Jesus was.

44. Some wanted to arrest him. But no one laid a hand on him.

45. Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees. They asked the guards, "Why didn't you bring him in?"