Part 712 (1/2)

9:15. Again therefore the Pharisees asked him how he had received his sight. But he said to them: He put clay upon my eyes: and I washed: and I see.

9:16. Some therefore of the Pharisees said: This man is not of G.o.d, who keepeth not the sabbath. But others said: How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

9:17. They say therefore to the blind man again: What sayest thou of him that hath opened thy eyes? And he said: He is a prophet.

9:18. The Jews then did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight,

9:19. And asked them, saying: Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then doth he now see?

9:20. His parents answered them and said: We know that this is our son and that he was born blind:

9:21. But how he now seeth, we know not: or who hath opened his eyes, we know not. Ask himself: he is of age: Let him speak for himself.

9:22. These things his parents said, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had already agreed among themselves that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

9:23. Therefore did his parents say: He is of age. Ask himself.

9:24. They therefore called the man again that had been blind and said to him: Give glory to G.o.d. We know that this man is a sinner.

9:25. He said therefore to them: If he be a sinner, I know not. One thing I know, that whereas I was blind now I see.

9:26. They said then to him: What did he to thee? How did he open thy eyes?

9:27. He answered them: I have told you already, and you have heard. Why would you hear it again? Will you also become his disciples?

9:28. They reviled him therefore and said: Be thou his disciple; but we are the disciples of Moses.

9:29. We know that G.o.d spoke to Moses: but as to this man, we know not from whence he is.

9:30. The man answered and said to them: why, herein is a wonderful thing, that you know not from whence he is, and he hath opened my eyes.

9:31. Now we know that G.o.d doth not hear sinners: but if a man be a server of G.o.d and doth his, will, him he heareth.

9:32. From the beginning of the world it hath not been heard, that any man hath opened the eyes of one born blind.

9:33. Unless this man were of G.o.d, he could not do anything.

9:34. They answered and said to him: Thou wast wholly born in sins; and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

9:35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out. And when he had found him, he said to him: Dost thou believe in the Son of G.o.d?

9:36. He answered, and said: Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?

9:37. And Jesus said to him: Thou hast both seen him; and it is he that talketh with thee.

9:38. And he said: I believe, Lord. And falling down, he adored him.

9:39. And Jesus said: For judgment I am come into this world: that they who see not may see; and they who see may become blind.

I am come, etc... Not that Christ came for that end, that any one should be made blind: but that the Jews, by the abuse of his coming, and by their not receiving him, brought upon themselves this judgment of blindness.