John 3

Read on churchofjesuschrist.org (with footnotes)

1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 2

The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles which thou doest, except God be with him.
IV v. 2 (Inspired Version, 1867)

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

4Nicodemus 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?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 4

Nicodemus said 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?
IV v. 4 (Inspired Version, 1867)

5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 5

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
IV v. 5 (Inspired Version, 1867)

6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 8

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
IV v. 8 (Inspired Version, 1867)

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

10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 10

Jesus answered and said, Art thou a master of Israel and knowest not these things?
IV v. 10 (Inspired Version, 1867)

11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 12

If I have told you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?
IV v. 12 (Inspired Version, 1867)

13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 13

I tell you, No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
IV v. 13 (Inspired Version, 1867)

14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 15

That whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
IV v. 15 (Inspired Version, 1867)

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
IV v. 16 (Inspired Version, 1867)

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 18

He who believeth on him is not condemned; but he who believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed on the name of the Only Begotten Son of God, which before was preached by the mouth of the holy prophets; for they testified of me.
IV v. 18 (Inspired Version, 1867)

19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 19

And this is the condemnation: that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.
IV v. 19 (Inspired Version, 1867)

20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 20

For everyone who doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
IV v. 20 (Inspired Version, 1867)

21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 21

But he who loveth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest.
IV v. 21 (Inspired Version, 1867)

22After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 22

After these things, came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them and baptized.
IV v. 23 (Inspired Version, 1867)

23And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 23

And John also was baptizing in Aenon, near to Salim because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized,
IV v. 24 (Inspired Version, 1867)

24For John was not yet cast into prison.

25Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 26

And they came unto John and said unto him, Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and he receiveth of all people who come unto him.
IV v. 27 (Inspired Version, 1867)

27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 29

He who hath the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice; this my joy, therefore, is fulfilled.
IV v. 30 (Inspired Version, 1867)

30He must increase, but I must decrease.

31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 31

He who cometh from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaketh of the earth; he who cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and but few men receive his testimony.
IV v. 32 (Inspired Version, 1867)

32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 33

He who hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
IV v. 33 (Inspired Version, 1867)

34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 34

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth him not the Spirit by measure, for he dwelleth in him, even the fullness.
IV v. 34 (Inspired Version, 1867)

35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 36

And he who believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and shall receive of his fullness. But he who believeth not the Son shall not receive of his fullness; for the wrath of God is upon him.
IV v. 36 (Inspired Version, 1867)

Also cited in commentary

1 Nephi 11 — The Condescension of God and the Catechetical Tree
- The lifted-up one
- Where this lands
1 Nephi 19 — Zenock, Neum, Zenos, and the Hermeneutic of 'Liken'
- The world's hardness against the Christ
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 21 — Isaiah 11 — The Branch from the Stump of Jesse, the Sevenfold Spirit, and the Peaceable Kingdom
- The ensign and the second-time recovery
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 25 — Nephi's Exposition — The Plainness, Six Hundred Years, the Name of Christ, and Grace After All We Can Do
- The name of Christ, and six hundred years
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 26 — Nephi's Vision Continued — The Nephite Destruction, the Whisper out of the Dust, and the Universal Invitation
- The warning against priestcraft (verses 20–22, 29–32)
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 31 — The Doctrine of Christ — Baptism, the Holy Ghost, and the Strait Way
- Where this lands
3 Nephi 27 — This Is My Gospel — The Name of Christ and the Definition of the Good News
- How the chapter is built
Alma 5 — Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenances — Alma's Master Examination at Zarahemla, the Mighty Change of Heart, and the Song of Redeeming Love
- The chapter's architecture
- The image-of-God examination
Alma 7 — The Condescension at Gideon — He Shall Take Upon Him Their Infirmities, That His Bowels May Be Filled with Mercy, That He May Know According to the Flesh How to Succor His People
- The call to baptism and the strait gate
- The chapter's architecture
Alma 17 — They Had Searched the Scriptures Diligently — The Sons of Mosiah, the Fourteen-Year Lamanite Mission, and Ammon at the Waters of Sebus
- The chapter's architecture
- The refusal of the kingdom and the mission begun
Alma 29 — O That I Were an Angel — A Psalm of Holy Desire and Holier Restraint
- How the chapter is built
Alma 33 — Then Cast About Your Eyes — Zenos, Zenock, and the Brazen Serpent, or How to Plant the Seed
- How the chapter is built
- Zenock, Moses, and the serpent: look and live
Helaman 6 — The Great Reversal — When the Lamanites Surpassed the Nephites
- How the chapter is built
- The two peoples diverge, and the Spirit moves
Helaman 8 — Look and Live — The Cloud of Witnesses and the Murdered Judge
- How the chapter is built
- The sign of the murdered judge
Jacob 4 — Looking Beyond the Mark — Jacob's Meditation on Christ, Scripture, and the Jewish Stumble
- The Patriarchs' Christ-knowledge
- Where this lands
Jacob 6 — Cleave Unto God — Jacob's Allegorical Exhortation and the Pleasing Bar of the Great Jehovah
- Where this lands
Mosiah 3 — The Angel's Message — Jesus Christ Named, Blood from Every Pore, and the Natural Man
- Where this lands
Mosiah 5 — The Covenant Response — One Voice, No More Disposition to Evil, Spiritually Begotten Sons and Daughters, the Name in the Heart
Mosiah 12 — Abinadi Returns in Disguise — Bound, Tried, and Questioned with Isaiah's Good Tidings
- The council tries to confound
- Where this lands
Mosiah 16 — The Light That Cannot Be Darkened — Abinadi's Closing Sermon on Carnal Death, the Light of Endless Life, and the Law That Points Beyond Itself
- Where this lands
Mosiah 18 — Waters of Mormon — The Baptismal Covenant, the Mourning-with-Them-that-Mourn, and the First Nephite Church
- Where this lands
Mosiah 27 — The Angel, the Three Days of Death-Like Sleep, and the Born-Again — Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah Converted, the Earth Trembling, the Soul Redeemed from the Gall of Bitterness
Mosiah 28 — The Sons of Mosiah Depart for the Lamanites — They Could Not Bear That Any Soul Should Perish, Mosiah Translates the Jaredite Plates by the Interpreters, the Office of the Seer Defined
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 5 — The Testimony of Three Witnesses
- Born of water and of the Spirit
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 10 — My Wisdom Is Greater Than the Cunning of the Devil
- The altered words and the cunning plan
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 34 — The Light Which Shineth in Darkness
Doctrine and Covenants 39 — Thine Heart Is Now Right
- Where this lands
2 Kings 3 — Ditches Before the Rain — Three Kings in a Waterless Wilderness, the Minstrel Who Made Room for the Word, Water Without a Storm, and the Fire on Moab's Wall
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The fire on the wall
2 Kings 17 — Removed Out of His Sight — Israel's Last King, the Three Years at Samaria's Gates, the Sermon That Explains a Kingdom's Fall, and the People Who Feared the LORD and Served Their Own Gods
- The sermon begins: sins against a rescuing God
2 Kings 18 — Nehushtan — the King Who Broke a Holy Relic, the Kingdom That Fell Next Door, and the Voice at the Wall Asking, On Whom Dost Thou Trust?
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The king who broke a relic
Esther 3 — The Man Who Would Not Bow — Haman the Agagite, the Ancient Enmity Awakened, and the Lot Cast Over a Loaded Table
- How this chapter changes the reader
- To destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish
Esther 4 — For Such a Time as This — Sackcloth at the Gate, the Charge That Cannot Be Refused, and the Queen Who Chose to Perish
- How this chapter changes the reader
- If I perish, I perish
Ezra 1 — The Word Fulfilled — Cyrus's Decree, the Stirred Spirit, the Freewill Return, and the Vessels Come Home
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The spirit God had raised
Ezra 5 — The Word That Restarts the Work — Two Prophets, a Governor's Inquiry, and the Eye That Would Not Let Them Cease
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The servants of the God of heaven
Job 24 — Why the Wicked Go Unpunished — The Landmarks Removed, the Poor Who Hide Together, the Night-Criminals, and a Justice That Is Certain but Deferred
- How this chapter changes the reader
- They know not the light
Psalms 19 — Two Books of One Author — The Heavens That Preach Without Words and the Law That Revives the Soul
- The heavens that preach without words

Cross-references are extracted from the project’s chapter essays — every link below points back into the original prose.

Public-domain text. The modern LDS edition with footnotes and chapter summaries is available on churchofjesuschrist.org ↗.

Study

Joseph Smith Translation

v. 2
The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles which thou doest, except God be with him.
v. 4
Nicodemus said 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?
v. 5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
v. 8
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
v. 10
Jesus answered and said, Art thou a master of Israel and knowest not these things?
v. 12
If I have told you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?
v. 13
I tell you, No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
v. 15
That whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
v. 16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
v. 18
He who believeth on him is not condemned; but he who believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed on the name of the Only Begotten Son of God, which before was preached by the mouth of the holy prophets; for they testified of me.
v. 19
And this is the condemnation: that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.
v. 20
For everyone who doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
v. 21
But he who loveth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest.
v. 22
After these things, came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them and baptized.
v. 23
And John also was baptizing in Aenon, near to Salim because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized,
v. 26
And they came unto John and said unto him, Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and he receiveth of all people who come unto him.
v. 29
He who hath the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice; this my joy, therefore, is fulfilled.
v. 31
He who cometh from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaketh of the earth; he who cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and but few men receive his testimony.
v. 33
He who hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
v. 34
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth him not the Spirit by measure, for he dwelleth in him, even the fullness.
v. 36
And he who believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and shall receive of his fullness. But he who believeth not the Son shall not receive of his fullness; for the wrath of God is upon him.
insertion after v. 21
And he who obeyeth the truth, the works which he doeth, they are of God.