The Incarnate Word

1 What was ^(A)from the beginning, what we have ^(B)heard, what we have ^(C)seen with our eyes, what we ^(D)have looked at and ^(E)touched with our hands, concerning the ^(F)Word of Life— ² and ^(G)the life was revealed, and we have ^(H)seen and ^(I)testify and proclaim to you ^(J)the eternal life, which was ^(K)with the Father and was ^(L)revealed to us— ³ what we have ^(M)seen and ^(N)heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our ^(O)fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. ^4 (P)These things we write, so that our ^(Q)joy may be made complete.

God Is Light

^5 (R)This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that ^(S)God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. ^6 (T)If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we ^(U)lie and ^(V)do not practice the truth; ⁷ but if we ^(W)walk in the Light as ^(X)He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and ^(Y)the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. ^8 (Z)If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the ^(AA)truth is not in us. ^9 (AB)If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and ^(AC)cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ^10 (AD)If we say that we have not sinned, we ^(AE)make Him a liar and ^(AF)His word is not in us.

^7 (A)Beloved, I am ^(B)not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had ^(C)from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. ^8 [a]On the other hand, I am writing ^(D)a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because ^(E)the darkness is passing away and ^(F)the true Light is already shining. ⁹ The one who says that he is in the Light and yet ^(G)hates his ^(H)brother or sister is in the darkness until now. ^10 (I)The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling. ¹¹ But the one who ^(J)hates his brother or sister is in the darkness and ^(K)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has ^(L)blinded his eyes.

¹² I am writing to you, ^(M)little children, because ^(N)your sins have been forgiven you on account of His name. ¹³ I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him ^(O)who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because ^(P)you have overcome ^(Q)the evil one. I have written to you, children, because ^(R)you know the Father. ¹⁴ I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him ^(S)who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are ^(T)strong, and the ^(U)word of God remains in you, and ^(V)you have overcome the evil one.

Do Not Love the World

¹⁵ Do not love ^(W)the world nor the things in the world. ^(X)If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, ^(Y)the lust of the flesh and ^(Z)the lust of the eyes and ^(AA)the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ^17 (AB)The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who ^(AC)does the will of God continues to live forever.

¹⁹ Nevertheless, the ^(A)firm foundation of God stands, having this ^(B)seal: “^(C)The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “^(D)Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”

² The things ^(A)which you have heard from me in the presence of ^(B)many witnesses, ^(C)entrust these to ^(D)faithful ^[a]people who will be ^(E)able to teach others also. ^3 (F)Suffer hardship with me, as a good ^(G)soldier of ^(H)Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier in active service ^(I)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And if someone likewise ^(J)competes as an athlete, he is not ^[b]crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. ^6 (K)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, ^(L)risen from the dead, ^(M)descendant of David, ^(N)according to my gospel, ^9 [c]for which I ^(O)suffer hardship even to ^(P)imprisonment as a ^(Q)criminal; but ^(R)the word of God ^(S)is not imprisoned. ¹⁰ For this reason ^(T)I endure all things for ^(U)the sake of ^[d]those who are chosen, ^(V)so that they also may obtain the ^(W)salvation which is in ^(X)Christ Jesus and with it ^(Y)eternal glory. ^11 (Z)The statement is trustworthy:

An Unashamed Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly ^(AF)exhort them in the presence of God not to ^(AG)dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. ¹⁵ Be diligent to ^(AH)present yourself approved to God as a worker who ^[f]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ^(AI)the word of truth. ¹⁶ But ^(AJ)avoid ^(AK)worldly and empty chatter, for ^[g]it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their ^[h]talk will spread like ^[i]gangrene. Among them are ^(AL)Hymenaeus and Philetus,