[a]Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (A)from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard [b]from the beginning. Again, (B)a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, (C)because the darkness is passing away, and (D)the true light is already shining.

(E)He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 (F)He who loves his brother abides in the light, and (G)there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who (H)hates his brother is in darkness and (I)walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Their Spiritual State

12 I write to you, little children,
Because (J)your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is (K)from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have (L)known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because (M)you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:7 NU Beloved
  2. 1 John 2:7 NU omits from the beginning

Dear friends,(A) I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.(B) This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command;(C) its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing(D) and the true light(E) is already shining.(F)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[a](G) is still in the darkness.(H) 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[b] lives in the light,(I) and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.(J) 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister(K) is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.(L) They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.(M)

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,(N)
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.(O)
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(P)
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome(Q) the evil one.(R)

14 I write to you, dear children,(S)
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(T)
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,(U)
    and the word of God(V) lives in you,(W)
    and you have overcome the evil one.(X)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:9 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15, 17; 4:20; 5:16.
  2. 1 John 2:10 The Greek word for brother and sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in 3:10; 4:20, 21.