The New Commandment

Beloved, I am writing you (A)no new commandment, but (B)an old commandment (C)that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is (D)a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because[a] (E)the darkness is passing away and (F)the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and (G)hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no (H)cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and (I)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

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

Do Not Love the World

15 (P)Do not love the world or the things in the world. (Q)If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—(R)the desires of the flesh and (S)the desires of the eyes and pride of life[c]—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And (T)the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:8 Or that
  2. 1 John 2:10 Or it
  3. 1 John 2:16 Or pride in possessions

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. 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)

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)

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,(N)
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.(O)
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(P)
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome(Q) the evil one.(R)

14 I write to you, dear children,(S)
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(T)
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,(U)
    and the word of God(V) lives in you,(W)
    and you have overcome the evil one.(X)

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.(Y) If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[c] is not in them.(Z) 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,(AA) the lust of the eyes,(AB) and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away,(AC) but whoever does the will of God(AD) lives forever.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 1 John 2:15 Or world, the Father’s love