Prologue

1 In the beginning^(A) was the Word,^(B) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.^{(C) 2} He was with God in the beginning.^{(D) 3} All things were created^(E) through him,^(F) and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. ⁴ In him was life,^[a](G) and that life was the light^(H) of men. ⁵ That light shines^(I) in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome^[b] it.^(J)

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John.^{(K) 7} He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.^{[c] 8} He was not the light, but he came to testify^(L) about the light. ⁹ The true light^(M) that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.^[d](N)

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was created^(O) through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive^(P) him,^(Q) he gave them the right^(R) to be^[e] children^(S) of God,^(T) to those who believe^(U) in his name,^{(V) 13} who were born,^(W) not of natural descent,^[f] or of the will^(X) of the flesh,^(Y) or of the will of man,^[g] but of God.^(Z)

¹⁴ The Word^(AA) became flesh^(AB) and dwelt^[h] among us. We observed his glory,^(AC) the glory as the one and only^(AD) Son^[i] from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me^(AE) ranks ahead of me,^(AF) because he existed before me.’”)^{(AG) 16} Indeed, we have all received grace^(AH) upon^[j] grace from his fullness, ¹⁷ for the law was given through Moses;^(AI) grace and truth^(AJ) came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. The one and only^(AK) Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s^(AL) side^[k]—he has revealed him.^(AM)

Honoring the Father and the Son

¹⁷ Jesus responded to them, “My Father^(A) is still working, and I am working also.” ¹⁸ This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him:^(B) Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.

¹⁹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father^[a] does, the Son likewise does these things.^{(C) 20} For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works^(D) than these so that you will be amazed. ²¹ And just as the Father raises^(E) the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants.^{(F) 22} The Father,^(G) in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, ²³ so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.^(H) Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.^(I)

The Creation

1 In the beginning^(A) God created the heavens and the earth.^[a](B)

² Now the earth was formless and empty,^(C) darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.^{(D) 3} Then God said, “Let there be light,”^(E) and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” There was an evening, and there was a morning: one day.

⁴ John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace^(A) to you from^[a] the one who is, who was, and who is to come,^(B) and from the seven spirits^[b](C) before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,^(D) the firstborn from the dead^(E) and the ruler of the kings of the earth.^(F)

To him who loves us and has set us free^[c] from our sins by his blood,^{(G) 6} and made us a kingdom,^[d] priests^[e](H) to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.^(I)

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,”^(M) says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”