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My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

A New Commandment

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer,[a] that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer[b] is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

12 I am writing to you who are God’s children
    because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.[c]
13 I am writing to you who are mature in the faith[d]
    because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I am writing to you who are young in the faith
    because you have won your battle with the evil one.
14 I have written to you who are God’s children
    because you know the Father.
I have written to you who are mature in the faith
    because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I have written to you who are young in the faith
    because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
    and you have won your battle with the evil one.

Do Not Love This World

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Warning about Antichrists

18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit,[e] and all of you know the truth. 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. 22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.[f] Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.[g] 23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24 So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. 25 And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

26 I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit,[h] and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit[i] teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

Living as Children of God

28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

29 Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

Footnotes

  1. 2:9 Greek hates his brother; also in 2:11.
  2. 2:10 Greek loves his brother.
  3. 2:12 Greek through his name.
  4. 2:13 Or to you fathers; also in 2:14.
  5. 2:20 Greek But you have an anointing from the Holy One.
  6. 2:22a Or not the Messiah.
  7. 2:22b Or the antichrist.
  8. 2:27a Greek the anointing from him.
  9. 2:27b Greek the anointing.

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate(A) with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation(B) for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.(C)

God’s Commands

This is how we are sure(D) that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands.(E) The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn't keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word,(F) truly in him the love of God is perfected.[a] This is how we know we are in Him:(G) The one who says he remains in Him(H) should walk just as He walked.

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command(I) but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message(J) you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away(K) and the true light(L) is already shining.(M)

The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother(N) is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother(O) remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.[b] 11 But the one who hates his brother(P) is in the darkness, walks in the darkness,(Q) and doesn’t know where he’s going,(R) because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins have been forgiven
because of Jesus’ name.(S)
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you have come to know
the One who is from the beginning.(T)
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have had victory over the evil one.(U)
14 I have written to you, children,
because you have come to know the Father.
I have written to you, fathers,
because you have come to know
the One who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
because you are strong,
God’s word(V) remains in you,
and you have had victory over the evil one.

A Warning about the World

15 Do not love the world(W) or the things that belong to[c] the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For everything that belongs to[d] the world—the lust of the flesh,(X) the lust of the eyes,(Y) and the pride(Z) in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away,(AA) but the one who does God’s will(AB) remains forever.(AC)

The Last Hour

18 Children, it is the last hour.(AD) And as you have heard, “Antichrist(AE) is coming,” even now many antichrists have come. We know from this that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

20 But you have an anointing(AF) from the Holy One,(AG) and all of you have knowledge.[e] 21 I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah?(AH) This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son can have the Father;(AI) he who confesses the Son has the Father as well.(AJ)

Remaining with God

24 What you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son(AK) and in the Father.(AL) 25 And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.(AM) 26 I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

27 The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things(AN) and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him.(AO)

God’s Children

28 So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears(AP) we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.(AQ) 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right(AR) has been born of Him.(AS)

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:5 Or truly completed
  2. 1 John 2:10 Or in it
  3. 1 John 2:15 Lit things in
  4. 1 John 2:16 Lit that is in
  5. 1 John 2:20 Other mss read and you know all things

Christ Our Advocate

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, (A)we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (B)He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but (C)also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we (D)keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments (E)is a liar, and (F)the truth is not in him, but whoever (G)keeps his word, in him truly (H)the love of God is perfected. (I)By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he (J)abides in him (K)ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

The New Commandment

Beloved, I am writing you (L)no new commandment, but (M)an old commandment (N)that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is (O)a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because[a] (P)the darkness is passing away and (Q)the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and (R)hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no (S)cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and (T)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 (U)your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know (V)him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because (W)you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
    because (X)you know the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers,
    because you know (Y)him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because (Z)you are strong,
    and the word of God abides in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

Do Not Love the World

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

Warning Concerning Antichrists

18 Children, (AF)it is the last hour, and as you have heard that (AG)antichrist is coming, so now (AH)many antichrists have come. (AI)Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 (AJ)They went out from us, but they were not of us; for (AK)if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, (AL)that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been (AM)anointed by (AN)the Holy One, and (AO)you all have knowledge.[d] 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but (AP)he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is (AQ)the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 (AR)No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let (AS)what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then (AT)you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us[e](AU)eternal life.

26 I write these things to you about (AV)those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But (AW)the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and (AX)you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and (AY)is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Children of God

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that (AZ)when he appears (BA)we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his (BB)coming. 29 If you know that (BC)he is righteous, you may be sure that (BD)everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:8 Or that
  2. 1 John 2:10 Or it
  3. 1 John 2:16 Or pride in possessions
  4. 1 John 2:20 Some manuscripts you know everything
  5. 1 John 2:25 Some manuscripts you

My dear children,(A) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate(B) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,(C) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.(D)

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

We know(E) that we have come to know him(F) if we keep his commands.(G) Whoever says, “I know him,”(H) but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.(I) But if anyone obeys his word,(J) love for God[a] is truly made complete in them.(K) This is how we know(L) we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.(M)

Dear friends,(N) I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.(O) This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command;(P) its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing(Q) and the true light(R) is already shining.(S)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b](T) is still in the darkness.(U) 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light,(V) and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.(W) 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister(X) is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.(Y) They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.(Z)

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,(AA)
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.(AB)
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(AC)
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome(AD) the evil one.(AE)

14 I write to you, dear children,(AF)
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(AG)
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,(AH)
    and the word of God(AI) lives in you,(AJ)
    and you have overcome the evil one.(AK)

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.(AL) If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them.(AM) 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,(AN) the lust of the eyes,(AO) and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away,(AP) but whoever does the will of God(AQ) lives forever.

Warnings Against Denying the Son

18 Dear children, this is the last hour;(AR) and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,(AS) even now many antichrists have come.(AT) This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us,(AU) but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.(AV)

20 But you have an anointing(AW) from the Holy One,(AX) and all of you know the truth.[e](AY) 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it(AZ) and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.(BA) 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.(BB)

24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning(BC) remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.(BD) 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.(BE)

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.(BF) 27 As for you, the anointing(BG) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things(BH) and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.(BI)

God’s Children and Sin

28 And now, dear children,(BJ) continue in him, so that when he appears(BK) we may be confident(BL) and unashamed before him at his coming.(BM)

29 If you know that he is righteous,(BN) you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.(BO)

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:5 Or word, God’s love
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 1 John 2:15 Or world, the Father’s love
  5. 1 John 2:20 Some manuscripts and you know all things

My egō little children teknion, I am writing graphō these things houtos to you hymeis so that hina you may not sin hamartanō. But kai if ean anyone tis does sin hamartanō, we have echō an advocate paraklētos with pros the ho Father patēr, Jesus Iēsous Christ Christos the righteous one dikaios. · kai He autos is eimi the propitiation hilasmos for peri · ho our hēmeis sins hamartia, and de not ou for peri · ho ours hēmeteros only monon, but alla also kai for peri those of the ho entire holos world kosmos.

Now kai this houtos is how en we can be sure ginōskō that hoti we know ginōskō God autos: if ean we keep tēreō · ho his autos commandments entolē. The ho one who says legō, “ I know ginōskō God autos,” yet kai does tēreō not keep tēreō · ho his autos commandments entolē, is eimi a liar pseustēs and kai the ho truth alētheia is eimi not ou in en him houtos. But de whoever hos keeps tēreō his autos · ho word logos, truly alēthōs in en that person houtos is the ho love agapē of ho God theos brought to fulfillment teleioō. This is how en we can be sure ginōskō that hoti we are eimi in en him autos: the ho one who claims legō to abide menō in en God autos ought opheilō to walk peripateō just as kathōs Jesus ekeinos walked peripateō. · kai

Dear friends agapētos, it is not ou a new kainos commandment entolē that I write graphō to you hymeis, but alla an old palaios commandment entolē—one that hos you have had echō from apo the beginning archē. The ho old palaios commandment entolē · ho is eimi the ho message logos you have already heard akouō. Yet palin it is a new kainos commandment entolē that I write graphō to you hymeis, one hos that is eimi true alēthēs in en him autos and kai in en you hymeis, because hoti the ho darkness skotia is passing away paragō and kai the ho true alēthinos light phōs · ho is already ēdē shining phainō. The ho one who claims legō to be eimi in en the ho light phōs but kai goes on hating miseō · ho his autos brother adelphos is eimi still heōs in en the ho darkness skotia. 10 The ho one who loves agapaō · ho his autos brother adelphos is living menō in en the ho light phōs and kai in en him autos there is eimi no ou cause for stumbling skandalon. 11 But de the ho one who hates miseō · ho his autos brother adelphos is eimi in en the ho darkness skotia; · kai he walks peripateō in en the ho darkness skotia and kai does not ou know oida where pou he is going hypagō, because hoti the ho darkness skotia has blinded typhloō · ho his autos eyes ophthalmos.

12 I am writing graphō to you hymeis, my children teknion, because hoti your hymeis sins hamartia are forgiven aphiēmi · ho on account of dia · ho his autos name onoma. 13 I am writing graphō to you hymeis, fathers patēr, because hoti you know ginōskō him ho who is from apo the beginning archē. I am writing graphō to you hymeis, young men neaniskos, because hoti you have overcome nikaō the ho evil one ponēros. 14 I have written graphō to you hymeis, my children paidion, because hoti you know ginōskō the ho Father patēr. I have written graphō to you hymeis, fathers patēr, because hoti you know ginōskō him ho who is from apo the beginning archē. I have written graphō to you hymeis, young men neaniskos, because hoti you are eimi strong ischuros, and kai the ho word logos of ho God theos abides menō in en you hymeis, and kai you have overcome nikaō the ho evil one ponēros.

15 Do not love agapaō the ho world kosmos or mēde the ho things in en the ho world kosmos. If ean anyone tis loves agapaō the ho world kosmos, the ho love agapē of the ho Father patēr is eimi not ou in en him autos. 16 For hoti all pas that ho is in en the ho world kosmos the ho desire epithumia of the ho flesh sarx, · kai the ho desire epithumia of the ho eyes ophthalmos, · kai the ho pride alazoneia of ho possession bios is eimi not ou from ek the ho Father patēr but alla from ek the ho world kosmos. 17 · kai The ho world kosmos is passing away paragō with kai all ho its autos desires epithumia, but de the ho one who does poieō the ho will thelēma of ho God theos remains menō for eis all ho time aiōn.

18 My children paidion, it is eimi the last eschatos hour hōra! And kai just as kathōs you heard akouō that hoti the Antichrist antichristos would come erchomai, even kai now nyn many polys antichrists antichristos have appeared ginomai. Therefore hothen we know ginōskō that hoti it is eimi the last eschatos hour hōra. 19 They went out exerchomai from ek us hēmeis but alla they were eimi not ou of ek us hēmeis; for gar if ei they had been eimi of ek us hēmeis, they would an have continued menō with meta us hēmeis. But alla they went out from us that hina it might become plain phaneroō that hoti none ou of them are eimi of ek us hēmeis. 20 But kai you hymeis have echō an anointing chrisma from apo the ho Holy hagios One , and kai you all pas know oida the truth. 21 I write graphō to you hymeis, not ou because hoti you do not ou know oida the ho truth alētheia, but alla because hoti you do know oida it autos and kai because hoti no ou lie pseudos comes eimi from ek the ho truth alētheia. 22 Who tis is eimi the ho liar pseustēs but ei mē the ho one who denies arneomai that hoti Jesus Iēsous is eimi the ho Christ Christos? This one houtos is eimi the ho Antichrist antichristos, the ho one who denies arneomai the ho Father patēr and kai the ho Son hyios. 23 No oude one pas who ho denies arneomai the ho Son hyios has echō the ho Father patēr. The ho one who confesses homologeō the ho Son hyios has echō the ho Father patēr also kai. 24 Let menō what hos you hymeis heard akouō from apo the beginning archē abide menō in en you hymeis. If ean what hos you heard akouō from apo the beginning archē abides menō in en you hymeis, then kai you hymeis will abide menō in en the ho Son hyios and kai in en the ho Father patēr. 25 And kai this houtos is eimi the ho promise epangelia that hos he autos made epangellomai to us hēmeis · ho eternal aiōnios life zōē. · ho

26 I have written graphō these things houtos to you hymeis concerning peri those ho who are trying to deceive planaō you hymeis. 27 But kai the ho anointing chrisma you hymeis received lambanō from apo him autos abides menō in en you hymeis, and kai you have echō no ou need chreia that hina anyone tis teach didaskō you hymeis. But alla as hōs · ho his autos anointing chrisma teaches didaskō you hymeis about peri all pas things , and kai is eimi true alēthēs and kai not ou a lie pseudos, · kai just as kathōs it has taught didaskō you hymeis, abide menō in en him autos.

28 And kai now nyn, dear children teknion, abide menō in en him autos, so that hina when ean he appears phaneroō we may have echō confidence parrēsia and kai not be put to shame in apo his autos presence when en · ho he autos comes parousia. 29 If ean you know oida that hoti he is eimi righteous dikaios, you also kai know ginōskō that hoti everyone pas who ho practices poieō · ho righteousness dikaiosynē has been born gennaō of ek him autos.