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].

I ·write [or have written] to you, children, ·because [or that] you ·know [have come to know] the Father. I ·write [or have written] to you, fathers, ·because [or that] you ·know [have come to know] the One who existed from the beginning [2:13]. I ·write [or have written] to you, young people, ·because [or that] you are strong; the ·teaching [^Lword] of God ·lives [abides; remains] in you, and you have ·defeated [conquered; overcome] the Evil One.

You have the ·gift [^Lanointing; ^Cprobably the Holy Spirit and/or the spiritual gift of the Word of God applied to their hearts; v. 24; 1 Sam. 16:13; Is. 61:1; John 16:13; 2 Cor. 1:21–22] that the Holy One gave you [^Lfrom the Holy One; ^Ca reference to God the Father (Ps. 71:22) or more likely Jesus Christ (Mark 1:24; John 6:69)], so you all ·know the truth [or have knowledge; ^Lknow].