12 I am writing to you, little children,
    because (A)your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know (B)him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because (C)you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
    because (D)you know the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers,
    because you know (E)him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because (F)you are strong,
    and the word of God abides in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

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Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,(A)
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.(B)
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(C)
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome(D) the evil one.(E)

14 I write to you, dear children,(F)
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(G)
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,(H)
    and the word of God(I) lives in you,(J)
    and you have overcome the evil one.(K)

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12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again (A)the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need (B)milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is (C)a child. 14 But solid food is for (D)the mature, for those who have their powers (E)of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

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12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths(A) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!(B) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,(C) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature,(D) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.(E)

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