Prologue

1 In the beginning^(A) was the Word,^(B) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.^{(C) 2} He was with God in the beginning.^{(D) 3} All things were created^(E) through him,^(F) and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. ⁴ In him was life,^[a](G) and that life was the light^(H) of men. ⁵ That light shines^(I) in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome^[b] it.^(J)

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John.^{(K) 7} He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.^{[c] 8} He was not the light, but he came to testify^(L) about the light. ⁹ The true light^(M) that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.^[d](N)

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was created^(O) through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive^(P) him,^(Q) he gave them the right^(R) to be^[e] children^(S) of God,^(T) to those who believe^(U) in his name,^{(V) 13} who were born,^(W) not of natural descent,^[f] or of the will^(X) of the flesh,^(Y) or of the will of man,^[g] but of God.^(Z)

¹⁴ The Word^(AA) became flesh^(AB) and dwelt^[h] among us. We observed his glory,^(AC) the glory as the one and only^(AD) Son^[i] from the Father, full of grace and truth.

⁶ For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^(A) has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge^(B) of God’s glory^(C) in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars

⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power^(D) may be from God and not from us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; ⁹ we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry the death of Jesus^(E) in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body.

Prologue: Our Declaration

1 What was from the beginning,^(A) what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word^(B) of life— ² that life was revealed,^(C) and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us^(D)— ³ what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship^(E) with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father^(F) and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things^[a] so that our^[b] joy^(G) may be complete.

Fellowship with God

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light,^(H) and there is absolutely no darkness in him.^{(I) 6} If we say, “We have fellowship^(J) with him,” and yet we walk in darkness,^(K) we are lying and are not practicing the truth.^{(L) 7} If we walk in the light^(M) as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus^(N) his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,”^(O) we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive^(P) 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^(Q) is not in us.^(R)