John's First Letter

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¹What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have watched, and what our hands have touched, about the word of life. That life was shown clearly, and we have seen it and verify it, and declare eternal life to you. We also declare what we have seen and heard to you, that you may share with us in it. And this life of ours is with the Father and his Son, Jesus the Messiah. And we write these things to you that our joy may be completed.

This is that message that we heard from him and now announce to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, yet walk in darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light like he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we are cheating ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and fair, so he forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

²My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you do not sin. But if anyone sins, we have a defense attorney with the Father, the righteous Jesus, the Messiah. He is the atonement for our sins (but not for ours only--also for the whole world's [sins]). This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands. Whoever says, "I know him," and does not keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. As for whomever keeps his word, the love of God truly is completed in him. By this we know that we are in him: whoever claims to remain in him must walk just like he walked.