Introduction: The Word Incarnate

1 What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked at and our hands have touched—
concerning the Word of life—

2 and this life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it,
and we announce to you the eternal life,
which was with the Father
and was revealed to us—

Fellowship with the Father and the Son

3 what we have seen and heard we now declare to you,
so that you also may share fellowship with us.
And truly, our fellowship is with the Father
and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

4 We write these things so that our joy may be complete.

Walk in the Light of God

5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you:
God is light,
and in Him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him but walk in darkness,
we lie and do not live according to the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The Acknowledgment of Indwelling Sin

8 If we claim we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Sin Confessed, Forgiven and Cleansed

9 If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say we have not sinned,
we make Him a liar,
and His word is not in us.