1 The Word that gives life

was from the beginning,

and this is the one

our message is about.

Our ears have heard,

our eyes have seen,

and our hands have touched

this Word.

2 The one who gives life appeared! We saw it happen, and we are witnesses to what we have seen. Now we are telling you about this eternal life that was with the Father and appeared to us. 3We are telling you what we have seen and heard, so you may share in this life with us. And we share in it with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4We are writing to tell you these things, because this makes us+ truly happy.

God Is Light

5Jesus told us God is light and doesn't have any darkness in him. Now we are telling you.

6If we say we share in life with God and keep on living in the dark, we are lying and are not living by the truth. 7 But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away. 8If we say we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts. 9But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.

10If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his message isn't in our hearts.+