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Gospel Reading - Words of eternal life

⁵⁹(He preached this sermon in the synagogue in Capernaum.)

⁶⁰Even his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. Who can tell what he means?”

⁶¹Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were complaining and said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶²Then what will you think if you see me, the Messiah,^a return to heaven again? ⁶³Only the Holy Spirit gives eternal life.^b Those born only once, with physical birth,* will never receive this gift. But now I have told you how to get this true spiritual life. ⁶⁴But some of you don’t believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who didn’t believe and knew the one who would betray him.)

⁶⁵And he remarked, “That is what I meant when I said that no one can come to me unless the Father attracts him to me.”

⁶⁶At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

⁶⁷Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you going too?”

⁶⁸Simon Peter replied, “Master, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life, ⁶⁹and we believe them and know you are the holy Son of God.”

1. Literally, “the Son of Man.”
2. Literally, “It is the Spirit who quickens.” with physical birth, literally, “the flesh profits nothing”; see 1:13.