5. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
6. But when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two more days.
7. Then Jesus said to his followers, “Let us go back to Judea.”
8. The followers said, “But Teacher, the Jews there tried to kill you with stones. That was only a short time ago. Now you want to go back there?”
9. Jesus answered, “Are there not 12 hours in the day? If anyone walks in the daylight, he will not stumble because he can see by this world’s light.
10. But if anyone walks at night he stumbles because there is no light to help him see.”
11. After Jesus said this, he added, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. But I am going there to wake him.”
12. The followers said, “But Lord, if he can sleep, he will get well.”
13. Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead. But Jesus’ followers thought that he meant Lazarus was really sleeping.
14. So then Jesus said plainly, “Lazarus is dead.
15. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there so that you may believe. But let us go to him now.”
16. Then Thomas (the one called Didymus) said to the other followers, “Let us go, too. We will die with him.”
17. Jesus arrived in Bethany. There he learned that Lazarus had already been dead and in the tomb for four days.
18. Bethany was about two miles from Jerusalem.
19. Many Jews had come there to comfort Martha and Mary about their brother.
20. Martha heard that Jesus was coming, and she went out to meet him. But Mary stayed at home.
21. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22. But I know that even now God will give you anything you ask.”
23. Jesus said, “Your brother will rise and live again.”