Add parallel Print Page Options

14 And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. 16 If you see your brother or sister[a] committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God[b] will give life to such a one—to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal.

18 We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. 19 We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true;[c] and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.[d]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 5:16 Gk your brother
  2. 1 John 5:16 Gk he
  3. 1 John 5:20 Other ancient authorities read know the true God
  4. 1 John 5:21 Other ancient authorities add Amen

14 This is the confidence(A) we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.(B) 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know(C) that we have what we asked of him.(D)

16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life.(E) I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death.(F) I am not saying that you should pray about that.(G) 17 All wrongdoing is sin,(H) and there is sin that does not lead to death.(I)

18 We know that anyone born of God(J) does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one(K) cannot harm them.(L) 19 We know that we are children of God,(M) and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.(N) 20 We know also that the Son of God has come(O) and has given us understanding,(P) so that we may know him who is true.(Q) And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.(R)

21 Dear children,(S) keep yourselves from idols.(T)

Read full chapter

Jesus and John the Baptist

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized 24 —John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew.[a] 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,[b] but I have been sent ahead of him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”[c]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. John 3:25 Other ancient authorities read the Jews
  2. John 3:28 Or the Christ
  3. John 3:30 Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36

John Testifies Again About Jesus

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.(A) 23 Now John(B) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.)(C) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.(D) 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,(E) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified(F) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’(G) 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(H) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.(I) 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. John 3:30 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 36.