1 We ·write [announce/proclaim to] you now about what ·has always existed [was from the beginning; Gen. 1:1; John 1:1], which we have heard, [^Lwhich] we have seen with our own eyes, [^Lwhich] we have looked at, and we have touched with our hands. We ·write [announce/proclaim] to you about the ·Word that gives life [Word of life; ^Cassociating the logos or “word” with Jesus suggests he is God’s communication with humanity; John 1:4; 11:25; 14:6].

⁷ ·So [or For] there are three ·witnesses^[a] [who testify/bear witness]:

Christ Comes to the World

1 In the beginning [Gen. 1:1] ·there was the Word [the Word already existed; ^Cthe Word refers to Christ, God’s revelation of himself]. The Word was ·with [in the presence of; in intimate relationship with] God [^Cthe Father], and the Word was [fully] God.

¹³ He is dressed in a ·robe [garment] dipped in blood [^Cindicating judgment; Is. 63:1–3], and his name is the Word of God [John 1:1].