our present book; we have already clarified its import and the proof it contains, and shown that it is not to be understood in the way they have construed it.

Another of those passages is what they report from the Messiah as having said:

“I am by my Father.”

The Messiah—peace be upon him—himself interpreted and unveiled the meaning of this. John, in his Gospel, writes:

“The Messiah supplicated God concerning his disciples and said: ‘O Holy Lord, keep them in Your name which You have given me, that they too may be one, just as I am one; and as You have sent me to the world, so I also send them.

He then went on to say:

I have bestowed upon them of the glory You have given me—yes, which You granted me—so that they too may be one, just as I am one; for I am with them and You are with me.’ ”

John explained that this means: “You are with me and You are for me, just as I am with my disciples and for them.”

I say: Or he intended, “Through me You guided and taught mankind, and I guide them….”