John 8, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

Classic

1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

Modern

2Early in the morning He went back into the temple courts. All the people came to Him, and He sat down to teach them.

Classic

2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

Modern

3The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them

Classic

3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

Modern

4and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

Classic

4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Modern

5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

Classic

5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

Modern

6They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.

Classic

6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

Modern

7When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”

Classic

7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Modern

8And again He bent down and wrote on the ground.

Classic

8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

Modern

9When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.

Classic

9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Modern

10Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”

Classic

10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

Modern

11“No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”

Classic

11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Modern

12Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Classic

12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Modern

13So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.”

Classic

13The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

Modern

14Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.

Classic

14Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

Modern

15You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.

Classic

15Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

Modern

16But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me.

Classic

16And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

Modern

17Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.

Classic

17It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

Modern

18I am One who testifies about Myself, and the Father, who sent Me, also testifies about Me.”

Classic

18I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

Modern

19“Where is Your Father?” they asked Him. “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well.”

Classic

19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

Modern

20He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.

Classic

20These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

Modern

21Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”

Classic

21Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

Modern

22So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?”

Classic

22Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

Modern

23Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

Classic

23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Modern

24That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Classic

24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Modern

25“Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied.

Classic

25Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

Modern

26“I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”

Classic

26I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

Modern

27They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father.

Classic

27They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

Modern

28So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.

Classic

28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Modern

29He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”

Classic

29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Modern

30As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him.

Classic

30As he spake these words, many believed on him.

Modern

31So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.

Classic

31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Modern

32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Classic

32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Modern

33“We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?”

Classic

33They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

Modern

34Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Classic

34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Modern

35A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever.

Classic

35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

Modern

36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Classic

36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Modern

37I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.

Classic

37I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Modern

38I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

Classic

38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

Modern

39“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.

Classic

39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

Modern

40But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.

Classic

40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

Modern

41You are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”

Classic

41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Modern

42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.

Classic

42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

Modern

43Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.

Classic

43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Modern

44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Classic

44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Modern

45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!

Classic

45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Modern

46Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?

Classic

46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

Modern

47Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Classic

47He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Modern

48The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?”

Classic

48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

Modern

49“I do not have a demon,” Jesus replied, “but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.

Classic

49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

Modern

50I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge.

Classic

50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

Modern

51Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”

Classic

51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Modern

52“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.

Classic

52Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

Modern

53Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”

Classic

53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Modern

54Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say ‘He is our God.’

Classic

54Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

Modern

55You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word.

Classic

55Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

Modern

56Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”

Classic

56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Modern

57Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?”

Classic

57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

Modern

58“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Classic

58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Modern

59At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.

Classic

59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

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