1 John 2:1-11

Christian Standard Bible

2 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. ² He himself is the atoning sacrifice^[a](B) for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.^(C)

God’s Commands

³ This is how we know^(D) that we know him: if we keep his commands.^{(E) 4} The one who says, “I have come to know him,” and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps his word,^(F) truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him:^{(G) 6} The one who says he remains in him^(H) should walk just as he walked.

⁷ 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 word^(J) you have heard. ⁸ 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) 9} The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister^(N) is in the darkness until now. ¹⁰ The one who loves his brother or sister^(O) remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.^{[b] 11} But the one who hates his brother or sister^(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.