¹⁴ This is the confidence^(A) we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.^{(B) 15} And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know^(C) that we have what we asked of him.^(D)

¹⁶ If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life.^(E) I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death.^(F) I am not saying that you should pray about that.^{(G) 17} All wrongdoing is sin,^(H) and there is sin that does not lead to death.^(I)

¹⁸ We know that anyone born of God^(J) does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one^(K) cannot harm them.^{(L) 19} We know that we are children of God,^(M) and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.^{(N) 20} We know also that the Son of God has come^(O) and has given us understanding,^(P) so that we may know him who is true.^(Q) And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.^(R)

²¹ Dear children,^(S) keep yourselves from idols.^(T)

John Testifies Again About Jesus

²² After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.^{(A) 23} Now John^(B) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. ²⁴ (This was before John was put in prison.)^{(C) 25} An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.^{(D) 26} They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,^(E) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified^(F) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

²⁷ To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’^{(G) 29} The bride belongs to the bridegroom.^(H) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.^{(I) 30} He must become greater; I must become less.”^[a]