我的孩子们,我写这些话给你们是为了叫你们不要犯罪。如果有人犯了罪,在父那里我们有一位护慰者,就是那位义者——耶稣基督。 祂为我们的罪作了赎罪祭,不只是为我们的罪,也是为全人类的罪。

我们若遵行上帝的命令,就知道自己认识祂。 若有人说“我认识祂”,却不遵行祂的命令,这人是说谎的,他心中没有真理。 遵行主话语的人是真正全心爱上帝的人,我们借此知道自己是在主里面。 所以,自称住在主里面的,就该在生活中效法基督。

新命令

亲爱的弟兄姊妹,我写给你们的并不是一条新命令,而是你们起初接受的旧命令,这旧命令就是你们已经听过的真道。 然而,我写给你们的也是新命令,在基督和你们身上都显明是真实的,因为黑暗渐渐过去,真光已经照耀出来。

若有人说自己在光明中,却恨他的弟兄姊妹,他就仍然活在黑暗里。 10 爱弟兄姊妹的人活在光明中,没有什么可以绊倒他[a] 11 恨弟兄姊妹的人活在黑暗中,走在黑暗中,不知何去何从,因为黑暗弄瞎了他的眼睛。

12 孩子们,我写信给你们,因为靠着祂的名,你们的罪已经得到赦免。 13 父老们,我写信给你们,因为你们认识了从太初就存在的那位。年轻人,我写信给你们,因为你们已经战胜了那恶者。

14 孩子们,我曾写信给你们,因为你们认识了父。父老们,我曾写信给你们,因为你们认识了从太初就存在的那位。年轻人,我曾写信给你们,因为你们刚强,上帝的道常存在你们心里,并且你们战胜了那恶者。

15 不要爱世界和世上的事,因为人若爱世界,就不会再有爱父的心了。 16 凡属世界的,如肉体的私欲、眼目的私欲和今生的骄傲都不是从父那里来的,而是从世界来的。 17 这世界和其中一切的私欲都要过去,但遵守上帝旨意的人永远长存。

防备敌基督者

18 孩子们,现在是末世了。你们从前听说敌基督者要来,其实现在许多敌基督者已经出现了,由此可知,现在是末世了。 19 这些人是从我们中间出去的,但他们不属于我们。他们如果属于我们,就会留在我们当中了。他们的离去表明他们都不属于我们。

20 你们从那位圣者领受了圣灵[b],所以你们明白真理。 21 我写信给你们不是因为你们不明白真理,而是因为你们明白真理,并且知道真理里面绝对没有谎言。 22 谁是说谎的呢?不就是那否认耶稣是基督的吗?那不承认父和子的就是敌基督者。 23 凡否认子的,也否认了父;凡承认子的,也承认了父。

24 你们务要把起初所听见的教导谨记在心,这样,你们必住在子和父里面。 25 主应许给我们的是永生。 26 以上的话是针对那些引诱你们离开正道的人写的。

顺从圣灵

27 你们既然从主领受了圣灵,圣灵又住在你们心中,就不需要其他人来教导你们,因为圣灵必会在一切事上指引你们。圣灵的教导是真实的,没有虚假,你们要按圣灵的教导住在主里面。 28 孩子们,你们要住在主里面。这样,当主显现的时候,就是祂再来的时候,我们便能坦然无惧,不会在祂面前羞愧。 29 既然你们知道主是公义的,也该知道所有按公义行事的人都是上帝的儿女。

Footnotes

  1. 2:10 没有什么可以绊倒他”或译“他也不会绊倒别人”。
  2. 2:20 圣灵”希腊文指“膏抹”。

我的孩子們,我寫這些話給你們是為了叫你們不要犯罪。如果有人犯了罪,在父那裡我們有一位護慰者,就是那位義者——耶穌基督。 祂為我們的罪作了贖罪祭,不只是為我們的罪,也是為全人類的罪。

我們若遵行上帝的命令,就知道自己認識祂。 若有人說「我認識祂」,卻不遵行祂的命令,這人是說謊的,他心中沒有真理。 遵行主話語的人是真正全心愛上帝的人,我們藉此知道自己是在主裡面。 所以,自稱住在主裡面的,就該在生活中效法基督。

新命令

親愛的弟兄姊妹,我寫給你們的並不是一條新命令,而是你們起初接受的舊命令,這舊命令就是你們已經聽過的真道。 然而,我寫給你們的也是新命令,在基督和你們身上都顯明是真實的,因為黑暗漸漸過去,真光已經照耀出來。

若有人說自己在光明中,卻恨他的弟兄姊妹,他就仍然活在黑暗裡。 10 愛弟兄姊妹的人活在光明中,沒有什麼可以絆倒他[a] 11 恨弟兄姊妹的人活在黑暗中,走在黑暗中,不知何去何從,因為黑暗弄瞎了他的眼睛。

12 孩子們,我寫信給你們,因為靠著祂的名,你們的罪已經得到赦免。 13 父老們,我寫信給你們,因為你們認識了從太初就存在的那位。年輕人,我寫信給你們,因為你們已經戰勝了那惡者。

14 孩子們,我曾寫信給你們,因為你們認識了父。父老們,我曾寫信給你們,因為你們認識了從太初就存在的那位。年輕人,我曾寫信給你們,因為你們剛強,上帝的道常存在你們心裡,並且你們戰勝了那惡者。

15 不要愛世界和世上的事,因為人若愛世界,就不會再有愛父的心了。 16 凡屬世界的,如肉體的私慾、眼目的私慾和今生的驕傲都不是從父那裡來的,而是從世界來的。 17 這世界和其中一切的私慾都要過去,但遵守上帝旨意的人永遠長存。

防備敵基督者

18 孩子們,現在是末世了。你們從前聽說敵基督者要來,其實現在許多敵基督者已經出現了,由此可知,現在是末世了。 19 這些人是從我們中間出去的,但他們不屬於我們。他們如果屬於我們,就會留在我們當中了。他們的離去表明他們都不屬於我們。

20 你們從那位聖者領受了聖靈[b],所以你們明白真理。 21 我寫信給你們不是因為你們不明白真理,而是因為你們明白真理,並且知道真理裡面絕對沒有謊言。 22 誰是說謊的呢?不就是那否認耶穌是基督的嗎?那不承認父和子的就是敵基督者。 23 凡否認子的,也否認了父;凡承認子的,也承認了父。

24 你們務要把起初所聽見的教導謹記在心,這樣,你們必住在子和父裡面。 25 主應許給我們的是永生。 26 以上的話是針對那些引誘你們離開正道的人寫的。

順從聖靈

27 你們既然從主領受了聖靈,聖靈又住在你們心中,就不需要其他人來教導你們,因為聖靈必會在一切事上指引你們。聖靈的教導是真實的,沒有虛假,你們要按聖靈的教導住在主裡面。 28 孩子們,你們要住在主裡面。這樣,當主顯現的時候,就是祂再來的時候,我們便能坦然無懼,不會在祂面前羞愧。 29 既然你們知道主是公義的,也該知道所有按公義行事的人都是上帝的兒女。

Footnotes

  1. 2·10 沒有什麼可以絆倒他」或譯「他也不會絆倒別人」。
  2. 2·20 聖靈」希臘文指「膏抹」。

My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an [a]Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.

Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard. Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth. He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12 I write unto you, my little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. [b]I have written unto you, little children, because ye know the Father. 14 [c]I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. [d]I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest [e]that they all are not of us. 20 And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, [f]and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and [g]because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also. 24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise which he promised [h]us, even the life eternal. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. 27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, [i]and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, [j]ye abide in him. 28 And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed [k]before him at his [l]coming. 29 If ye know that he is righteous, [m]ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:1 Or, Comforter. Jn. 14:16. Or, Helper. Greek Paraclete.
  2. 1 John 2:13 Or, I wrote
  3. 1 John 2:14 Or, I wrote
  4. 1 John 2:14 Or, I wrote
  5. 1 John 2:19 Or, that not all are of us
  6. 1 John 2:20 Some very ancient authorities read and ye all know.
  7. 1 John 2:21 Or, that
  8. 1 John 2:25 Some ancient authorities read you.
  9. 1 John 2:27 Or, so it is true and is no lie; and even as etc.
  10. 1 John 2:27 Or, abide ye
  11. 1 John 2:28 Greek from him.
  12. 1 John 2:28 Greek presence.
  13. 1 John 2:29 Or, know ye

My dear children,(A) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate(B) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,(C) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.(D)

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

We know(E) that we have come to know him(F) if we keep his commands.(G) Whoever says, “I know him,”(H) but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.(I) But if anyone obeys his word,(J) love for God[a] is truly made complete in them.(K) This is how we know(L) we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.(M)

Dear friends,(N) I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.(O) This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command;(P) its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing(Q) and the true light(R) is already shining.(S)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b](T) is still in the darkness.(U) 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light,(V) and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.(W) 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister(X) is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.(Y) They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.(Z)

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,(AA)
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.(AB)
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(AC)
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome(AD) the evil one.(AE)

14 I write to you, dear children,(AF)
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(AG)
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,(AH)
    and the word of God(AI) lives in you,(AJ)
    and you have overcome the evil one.(AK)

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.(AL) If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them.(AM) 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,(AN) the lust of the eyes,(AO) and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away,(AP) but whoever does the will of God(AQ) lives forever.

Warnings Against Denying the Son

18 Dear children, this is the last hour;(AR) and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,(AS) even now many antichrists have come.(AT) This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us,(AU) but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.(AV)

20 But you have an anointing(AW) from the Holy One,(AX) and all of you know the truth.[e](AY) 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it(AZ) and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.(BA) 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.(BB)

24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning(BC) remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.(BD) 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.(BE)

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.(BF) 27 As for you, the anointing(BG) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things(BH) and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.(BI)

God’s Children and Sin

28 And now, dear children,(BJ) continue in him, so that when he appears(BK) we may be confident(BL) and unashamed before him at his coming.(BM)

29 If you know that he is righteous,(BN) you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.(BO)

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:5 Or word, God’s love
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 1 John 2:15 Or world, the Father’s love
  5. 1 John 2:20 Some manuscripts and you know all things

Jesus Christ Our Advocate

(A)My little children, I am (B)writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, (C)we have an [a](D)Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is (E)the [b]propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also (F)for those of the whole world.

(G)And by this we know that we have come to (H)know Him, if we (I)keep His commandments. The one who says, “(J)I have come to (K)know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a (L)liar, and (M)the truth is not in him; but whoever (N)keeps His word, truly in him the (O)love of God has been perfected. (P)By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he (Q)abides in Him (R)ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

(S)Beloved, I am (T)not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (U)from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. [c]On the other hand, I am writing (V)a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because (W)the darkness is passing away and (X)the true Light is already shining. The one who says he is in the Light and yet (Y)hates his (Z)brother is in the darkness until now. 10 (AA)The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who (AB)hates his brother is in the darkness and (AC)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness (AD)blinded his eyes.

12 I am writing to you, (AE)little children, because (AF)your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known Him (AG)who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because (AH)you have overcome (AI)the evil one. I have written to you, children, because [d](AJ)you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him (AK)who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are (AL)strong, and the (AM)word of God abides in you, and (AN)you have overcome the evil one.

Do Not Love the World

15 Do not love (AO)the world nor the things in the world. (AP)If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, (AQ)the lust of the flesh and (AR)the lust of the eyes and (AS)the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 (AT)And the world is passing away, and also its lusts, but the one who (AU)does the will of God abides forever.

18 Children, (AV)it is the last hour; and just as you heard that (AW)antichrist is coming, (AX)even now many antichrists have appeared. From this we know that it is the last hour. 19 (AY)They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they were of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, (AZ)so that [e]it would be manifested that they all are not of us. 20 [f]But you have an (BA)anointing from (BB)the Holy One, and (BC)you all know. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but (BD)because you do know it, and [g]because no lie is (BE)of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but (BF)the one who denies that Jesus is the [h]Christ? This is (BG)the [i]antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 (BH)Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, let that which you heard (BI)from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also (BJ)will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 (BK)And this is the promise which He Himself [j]made to us: eternal life.

26 These things I have written to you about those who are trying to (BL)deceive you. 27 And as for you, the (BM)anointing whom you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as His anointing (BN)teaches you about all things, and is (BO)true and is not a lie, and just as He has taught you, [k]abide in Him.

28 And now, (BP)little children, abide in Him, so that when He (BQ)is manifested, we may have (BR)confidence and (BS)not [l]shrink away from Him in shame [m]at His (BT)coming. 29 If you know that (BU)He is righteous, you know that everyone also who does righteousness (BV)has been [n]born of Him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:1 Gr Paracletos, one called alongside to help; or Intercessor
  2. 1 John 2:2 Or satisfaction
  3. 1 John 2:8 Lit Again
  4. 1 John 2:13 Or you have come to know
  5. 1 John 2:19 Lit they would be revealed
  6. 1 John 2:20 Lit And
  7. 1 John 2:21 Or know that
  8. 1 John 2:22 Or Anointed One, cf. 2:27
  9. 1 John 2:22 Or one against the Anointed One, cf. 2:27
  10. 1 John 2:25 Lit promised us
  11. 1 John 2:27 Or you abide in Him; Gr indicative
  12. 1 John 2:28 Lit be put to shame from Him
  13. 1 John 2:28 Or in His presence
  14. 1 John 2:29 Or begotten