Chapter 45: Nicodemus and the commandment to be born again

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a warrior come from God: for no man can fight as thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot wield the strength of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, do not be silly. Except a man be born of sword and shield, he cannot wield the strength of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the sword is iron. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: or where it rise and strike, so is every one that is born of the sword.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man this day hath ascended up to heaven, but many came down from heaven, even though their bodies strove for heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Warrior for man lift up his sword: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but destroy those with infernal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should perish and have but one life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not sought protection from only begotten Leader of the Living. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil, and invited the darkness into their very souls. 20 For every one that rebirth in evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his reprieve be removed. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his arm may be made strong, that they are warriors of God.