John 8:1-19 VOICE

[1] Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2] He awoke early in the morning to return to the temple. When He arrived, the people surrounded Him, so He sat down and began to teach them. [3] While He was teaching, the scribes and Pharisees brought in a woman who was caught in the act of adultery; and they stood her before Jesus. [4] Pharisees: Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] Moses says in the law that we are to kill such women by stoning. What do You say about it? [6] This was all set up as a test for Jesus; His answers would give them grounds to accuse Him of crimes against Moses' law. Jesus bent over and wrote something in the dirt with His finger. [7] They persisted in badgering Jesus, so He stood up straight. Jesus: Let the first stone be thrown by the one among you who has not sinned. [8] Once again Jesus bent down to the ground and resumed writing with His finger. [9] The Pharisees who heard Him stood still for a few moments and then began to leave slowly, one by one, beginning with the older men. Eventually only Jesus and the woman remained, [10] and Jesus looked up. Jesus: Dear woman, where is everyone? Are we alone? Did no one step forward to condemn you? [11] Woman Caught in Adultery: Lord, no one has condemned me. Jesus: Well, I do not condemn you either; all I ask is that you go and from now on avoid the sins that plague you.] [12] On another occasion, Jesus spoke to the crowds again. Jesus: I am the light that shines through the cosmos; if you walk with Me, you will thrive in the nourishing light that gives life and will not know darkness. [13] Pharisees: Jesus, what You are claiming about Yourself cannot possibly be true. The only person bearing witness is You. [14] Jesus: Even if I am making bold claims about Myself-who I am, what I have come to do-I am speaking the truth. You see, I know where I came from and where I will go when I am done here. You know neither where I come from nor where I will go. [15] You spend your time judging by the wrong criteria, by human standards; but I am not here to judge anyone. [16] If I were to judge, then My judgment would be based on truth; but I would not judge anyone alone. I act in harmony with the One who sent Me. [17] Your law states that if the testimonies of two witnesses agree, their testimony is true. [18] Well, I testify about Myself, and so does the Father who sent Me here. [19] Pharisees: Where is the Father who testifies on Your behalf? Jesus: You don't know the Father or Me. If you knew Me, then you would also know the Father.