1 Now a certain man, named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill– Bethany being the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 (It was the Mary who poured the perfume over the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.)

3 So the sisters sent to Him to say, »Master, he whom you hold dear is ill.«

4 Jesus received the message and said, »This illness is not to end in death, but is to promote the glory of God, in order that the Son of God may be glorified by it.«

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When, however, He heard that Lazarus was ill, He still remained two days in that same place.

7 Then, after that, He said to the disciples, »Let us return to Judaea.«

8 »Rabbi,« exclaimed the disciples, »the Jews have just been trying to stone you, and do you think of going back there again?«

9 »Are there not twelve hours in the day?« replied Jesus. »If any one walks in the daytime, he does not stumble–because he sees the light of this world.

10 But if a man walks by night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.«

11 He said this, and afterwards He added, »Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I will go and wake him.«

12 »Master,« said the disciples, »if he is asleep he will recover.«

13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought He referred to the rest taken in ordinary sleep.

14 So then He told them plainly,