³⁵ (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows^[a] that he tells the truth, so that you also may continue^[b] to believe.)^(A)

²⁴ This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.^(A)

The Word of Life

1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life^(A)— ² this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us^(B)— ³ what we have seen and heard we also declare to you so that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.^(C)

²⁷ You also are to testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.^(A)

Tending the Flock of God

5 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you^(A)

³ how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was confirmed for us by those who heard him,^{(A) 4} while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.^(B)

⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.^(A)

³⁹ We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,^(A)

³¹ But these are written so that you may continue^[a] to believe that Jesus is the Messiah,^[b] the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.^(A)

Epilogue

¹³ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.^[a](A)