New International Reader's Version

John 7:8-27 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

8. "You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast. For me, the right time has not yet come."

9. After he said this, he stayed in Galilee.

10. When his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also. But he went secretly, not openly.

11. At the Feast the Jews were watching for him. They were asking, "Where is he?"

12. Many people in the crowd were whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No. He fools the people."

13. But no one would say anything about him openly. They were afraid of the Jews.

14. Jesus did nothing until halfway through the Feast. Then he went up to the temple courtyard and began to teach.

15. The Jews were amazed. They asked, "How did this man learn so much without studying?"

16. Jesus answered, "What I teach is not my own. It comes from the One who sent me.

17. Anyone who chooses to do what God wants him to do will find out whether my teaching comes from God or from me.

18. Someone who speaks on his own does it to get honor for himself. But someone who works for the honor of the One who sent him is truthful. There is nothing false about him.

19. "Didn't Moses give you the law? But not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?"

20. "You are controlled by demons," the crowd answered. "Who is trying to kill you?"

21. Jesus said to them, "I did one miracle, and you are all amazed.

22. Moses gave you circumcision, and so you circumcise a child on the Sabbath day. But circumcision did not really come from Moses. It came from Abraham.

23. You circumcise a child on the Sabbath day. You think that if you do, you won't break the law of Moses. Then why are you angry with me? I healed a whole man on the Sabbath!

24. "Stop judging only by what you see. Judge correctly."

25. Then some of the people of Jerusalem began asking questions. They said, "Isn't this the man some people are trying to kill?

26. Here he is! He is speaking openly. They aren't saying a word to him. Have the authorities really decided that he is the Christ?

27. But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from."