⁷ 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. ⁸ 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)

⁹ 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)

Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am^(A) the light of the world.^(B) Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”^(C)

¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”^(D)

¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going.^(E) But you have no idea where I come from^(F) or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards;^(G) I pass judgment on no one.^{(H) 16} But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.^{(I) 17} In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.^{(J) 18} I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”^(K)

¹⁹ Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”

“You do not know me or my Father,”^(L) Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”^(M)