Prologue: Our Declaration

1 What was from the beginning,^(A) what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word^(B) of life— ² that life was revealed,^(C) and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us^(D)— ³ what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship^(E) with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father^(F) and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things^[a] so that our^[b] joy^(G) may be complete.

Fellowship with God

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light,^(H) and there is absolutely no darkness in him.^{(I) 6} If we say, “We have fellowship^(J) with him,” and yet we walk in darkness,^(K) we are lying and are not practicing the truth.^{(L) 7} If we walk in the light^(M) as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus^(N) his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,”^(O) we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive^(P) us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word^(Q) is not in us.^(R)