The Incarnation of the Word of Life

1 That which was from the beginning,^(A) which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,^(B) which we have looked at and our hands have touched^(C)—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. ² The life appeared;^(D) we have seen it and testify to it,^(E) and we proclaim to you the eternal life,^(F) which was with the Father and has appeared to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard,^(G) so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.^{(H) 4} We write this^(I) to make our^[a] joy complete.^(J)

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

⁵ This is the message we have heard^(K) from him and declare to you: God is light;^(L) in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness,^(M) we lie and do not live out the truth.^{(N) 7} But if we walk in the light,^(O) as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[b] sin.^(P)

⁸ If we claim to be without sin,^(Q) we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.^{(R) 9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins^(S) and purify us from all unrighteousness.^{(T) 10} If we claim we have not sinned,^(U) we make him out to be a liar^(V) and his word is not in us.^(W)

2 My dear children,^(X) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate^(Y) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,^(Z) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.^(AA)

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

³ We know^(AB) that we have come to know him^(AC) if we keep his commands.^{(AD) 4} Whoever says, “I know him,”^(AE) but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.^{(AF) 5} But if anyone obeys his word,^(AG) love for God^[c] is truly made complete in them.^(AH) This is how we know^(AI) we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.^(AJ)

⁷ Dear friends,^(AK) I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.^(AL) This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸ Yet I am writing you a new command;^(AM) its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing^(AN) and the true light^(AO) is already shining.^(AP)

⁹ Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister^[d](AQ) is still in the darkness.^{(AR) 10} Anyone who loves their brother and sister^[e] lives in the light,^(AS) and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.^{(AT) 11} But anyone who hates a brother or sister^(AU) is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.^(AV) They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.^(AW)

Reasons for Writing

On Not Loving the World

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world.^(BI) If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[f] is not in them.^{(BJ) 16} For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,^(BK) the lust of the eyes,^(BL) and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away,^(BM) but whoever does the will of God^(BN) lives forever.

Warnings Against Denying the Son

¹⁸ Dear children, this is the last hour;^(BO) and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,^(BP) even now many antichrists have come.^(BQ) This is how we know it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us,^(BR) 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.^(BS)

²⁰ But you have an anointing^(BT) from the Holy One,^(BU) and all of you know the truth.^{[g](BV) 21} I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it^(BW) 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.^{(BX) 23} No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.^(BY)

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

²⁶ I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.^{(CC) 27} As for you, the anointing^(CD) 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^(CE) and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.^(CF)

God’s Children and Sin

²⁸ And now, dear children,^(CG) continue in him, so that when he appears^(CH) we may be confident^(CI) and unashamed before him at his coming.^(CJ)

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

3 See what great love^(CM) the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!^(CN) And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.^{(CO) 2} Dear friends,^(CP) now we are children of God,^(CQ) and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,^[h](CR) we shall be like him,^(CS) for we shall see him as he is.^{(CT) 3} All who have this hope in him purify themselves,^(CU) just as he is pure.^(CV)

⁴ Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.^{(CW) 5} But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins.^(CX) And in him is no sin.^{(CY) 6} No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.^(CZ) No one who continues to sin has either seen him^(DA) or known him.^(DB)

⁷ Dear children,^(DC) do not let anyone lead you astray.^(DD) The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.^{(DE) 8} The one who does what is sinful is of the devil,^(DF) because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God^(DG) appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.^{(DH) 9} No one who is born of God^(DI) will continue to sin,^(DJ) because God’s seed^(DK) remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. ¹⁰ This is how we know who the children of God^(DL) are and who the children of the devil^(DM) are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love^(DN) their brother and sister.^(DO)

More on Love and Hatred

¹¹ For this is the message you heard^(DP) from the beginning:^(DQ) We should love one another.^{(DR) 12} Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one^(DS) and murdered his brother.^(DT) And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.^{(DU) 13} Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,^[i] if the world hates you.^{(DV) 14} We know that we have passed from death to life,^(DW) because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.^{(DX) 15} Anyone who hates a brother or sister^(DY) is a murderer,^(DZ) and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.^(EA)

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.^(EB) And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.^{(EC) 17} If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,^(ED) how can the love of God be in that person?^{(EE) 18} Dear children,^(EF) let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.^(EG)

¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends,^(EH) if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God^{(EI) 22} and receive from him anything we ask,^(EJ) because we keep his commands^(EK) and do what pleases him.^{(EL) 23} And this is his command: to believe^(EM) in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,^(EN) and to love one another as he commanded us.^{(EO) 24} The one who keeps God’s commands^(EP) lives in him,^(EQ) and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.^(ER)

The Burnt Offering

1 The Lord called to Moses^(A) and spoke to him from the tent of meeting.^(B) He said, ² “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord,^(C) bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.^(D)

³ “‘If the offering is a burnt offering^(E) from the herd,^(F) you are to offer a male without defect.^(G) You must present it at the entrance to the tent^(H) of meeting so that it will be acceptable^(I) to the Lord. ⁴ You are to lay your hand on the head^(J) of the burnt offering,^(K) and it will be accepted^(L) on your behalf to make atonement^(M) for you. ⁵ You are to slaughter^(N) the young bull^(O) before the Lord, and then Aaron’s sons^(P) the priests shall bring the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar^(Q) at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ⁶ You are to skin^(R) the burnt offering and cut it into pieces.^{(S) 7} The sons of Aaron the priest are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood^(T) on the fire. ⁸ Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat,^(U) on the wood^(V) that is burning on the altar. ⁹ You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water,^(W) and the priest is to burn all of it^(X) on the altar.^(Y) It is a burnt offering,^(Z) a food offering,^(AA) an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^(AB)

¹⁰ “‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the flock, from either the sheep^(AC) or the goats,^(AD) you are to offer a male without defect. ¹¹ You are to slaughter it at the north side of the altar^(AE) before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash its blood against the sides of the altar.^{(AF) 12} You are to cut it into pieces, and the priest shall arrange them, including the head and the fat,^(AG) on the wood that is burning on the altar. ¹³ You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water,^(AH) and the priest is to bring all of them and burn them^(AI) on the altar.^(AJ) It is a burnt offering,^(AK) a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

¹⁴ “‘If the offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, you are to offer a dove or a young pigeon.^{(AL) 15} The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off the head^(AM) and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar.^{(AN) 16} He is to remove the crop and the feathers^[a] and throw them down east of the altar where the ashes^(AO) are. ¹⁷ He shall tear it open by the wings, not dividing it completely,^(AP) and then the priest shall burn it on the wood^(AQ) that is burning on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

The Grain Offering

2 “‘When anyone brings a grain offering^(AR) to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour.^(AS) They are to pour olive oil^(AT) on it,^(AU) put incense on it^{(AV) 2} and take it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour^(AW) and oil, together with all the incense,^(AX) and burn this as a memorial^[b] portion^(AY) on the altar, a food offering,^(AZ) an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^{(BA) 3} The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons;^(BB) it is a most holy^(BC) part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.

⁴ “‘If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven,^(BD) it is to consist of the finest flour: either thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in or thin loaves^(BE) made without yeast and brushed with olive oil.^{(BF) 5} If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle,^(BG) it is to be made of the finest flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. ⁶ Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. ⁷ If your grain offering is cooked in a pan,^(BH) it is to be made of the finest flour and some olive oil. ⁸ Bring the grain offering made of these things to the Lord; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar. ⁹ He shall take out the memorial portion^(BI) from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^{(BJ) 10} The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons;^(BK) it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.^(BL)

¹¹ “‘Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast,^(BM) for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in a food offering presented to the Lord. ¹² You may bring them to the Lord as an offering of the firstfruits,^(BN) but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma. ¹³ Season all your grain offerings with salt.^(BO) Do not leave the salt of the covenant^(BP) of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.

¹⁴ “‘If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits^(BQ) to the Lord, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire. ¹⁵ Put oil and incense^(BR) on it; it is a grain offering. ¹⁶ The priest shall burn the memorial portion^(BS) of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all the incense,^(BT) as a food offering presented to the Lord.^(BU)

The Fellowship Offering

3 “‘If your offering is a fellowship offering,^(BV) and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect.^{(BW) 2} You are to lay your hand on the head^(BX) of your offering and slaughter it^(BY) at the entrance to the tent of meeting.^(BZ) Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash^(CA) the blood against the sides^(CB) of the altar.^{(CC) 3} From the fellowship offering you are to bring a food offering to the Lord: the internal organs^(CD) and all the fat^(CE) that is connected to them, ⁴ both kidneys^(CF) with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys. ⁵ Then Aaron’s sons^(CG) are to burn it on the altar^(CH) on top of the burnt offering^(CI) that is lying on the burning wood;^(CJ) it is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^(CK)

⁶ “‘If you offer an animal from the flock as a fellowship offering^(CL) to the Lord, you are to offer a male or female without defect. ⁷ If you offer a lamb,^(CM) you are to present it before the Lord,^{(CN) 8} lay your hand on its head and slaughter it^(CO) in front of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall splash its blood against the sides of the altar. ⁹ From the fellowship offering you are to bring a food offering^(CP) to the Lord: its fat, the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the internal organs and all the fat that is connected to them, ¹⁰ both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys. ¹¹ The priest shall burn them on the altar^(CQ) as a food offering^(CR) presented to the Lord.^(CS)

¹² “‘If your offering is a goat,^(CT) you are to present it before the Lord, ¹³ lay your hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall splash^(CU) its blood against the sides of the altar.^{(CV) 14} From what you offer you are to present this food offering to the Lord: the internal organs and all the fat that is connected to them, ¹⁵ both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys.^{(CW) 16} The priest shall burn them on the altar^(CX) as a food offering,^(CY) a pleasing aroma.^(CZ) All the fat^(DA) is the Lord’s.^(DB)

¹⁷ “‘This is a lasting ordinance^(DC) for the generations to come,^(DD) wherever you live:^(DE) You must not eat any fat or any blood.^(DF)’”