Bible in 90 Days

The Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.^{(A) 14} But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.^{(B) 15} Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(C) 16} For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.^{(D) 18} And the fruit of righteousness^(E) is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

Proud or Humble

4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions^(F) that wage war within you?^{[a] 2} You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war.^[b] You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.^(G)

⁴ You adulterous people!^[c] Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.^{(H) 5} Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?^[d](I)

⁶ But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says:

⁷ Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.^{(K) 8} Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.^{(L) 9} Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.^{(M) 10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

¹¹ Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer^[f] defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.^{(N) 12} There is one lawgiver and judge^[g] who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?^(O)

Our Will and God’s Will

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”^{(P) 14} Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.^(Q)

¹⁵ Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.^{(R) 17} So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.^(S)

Warning to the Rich

5 Come now, you rich^(T) people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you. ² Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten.^{(U) 3} Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days.^{(V) 4} Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers^(W) who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies.^{(X) 5} You have lived luxuriously on the earth and have indulged yourselves. You have fattened your hearts^(Y) in a day of slaughter.^{(Z) 6} You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous, who does not resist you.^(AA)

Waiting for the Lord

⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.^{(AB) 8} You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.^(AC)

⁹ Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!^(AD)

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ See, we count as blessed those who have endured.^[h] You have heard of Job’s endurance^(AE) and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.^(AF)

Truthful Speech

¹² Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath.^(AG) But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.^[i]

Effective Prayer

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.^{(AH) 14} Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.^{(AI) 15} The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.^{(AJ) 16} Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.^{(AK) 17} Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land.^{(AL) 18} Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.^(AM)

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth,^(AN) and someone turns him back,^{(AO) 20} let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.^(AP)

Greeting

1 Peter,^(AQ) an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To those chosen, living as exiles^(AR) dispersed^(AS) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,^(AT) chosen^{(AU) 2} according to the foreknowledge^(AV) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(AW) to be obedient^(AX) and to be sprinkled with the blood^(AY) of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(AZ) Because of his great mercy^(BA) he has given us new birth^(BB) into a living hope^(BC) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead^{(BD) 4} and into an inheritance that is imperishable,^(BE) undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven^(BF) for you. ⁵ You are being guarded by God’s power^(BG) through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.^{(BH) 6} You rejoice in this,^[j] even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials^{(BI) 7} so that the proven character of your faith^(BJ)—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire^(BK)—may result^(BL) in praise, glory, and honor^(BM) at the revelation of Jesus Christ.^{(BN) 8} Though you have not seen^(BO) him, you love him;^(BP) though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice^(BQ) with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets,^(BR) who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. ¹¹ They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ^(BS) within them was indicating when he testified in advance^(BT) to the sufferings of Christ^(BU) and the glories^(BV) that would follow.^{[k] 12} It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you^(BW) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven^(BX)—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

A Call to Holy Living

¹³ Therefore, with your minds ready for action,^(BY) be sober-minded^(BZ) and set your hope^(CA) completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation^(CB) of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children,^(CC) do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ But as the one who called you^(CD) is holy,^(CE) you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.^{[l](CF) 17} If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially^(CG) according to each one’s work,^(CH) you are to conduct yourselves in reverence^(CI) during your time living as strangers. ¹⁸ For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life^(CJ) inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,^{(CK) 19} but with the precious blood of Christ,^(CL) like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.^{(CM) 20} He was foreknown^(CN) before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times^(CO) for you. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(CP) who raised him from the dead^(CQ) and gave him glory,^(CR) so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,^[m] so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other,^(CS) from a pure^[n] heart love one another constantly,^{[o](CT) 23} because you have been born again^(CU)—not of perishable seed^(CV) but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.^{(CW) 24} For

And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.

The Living Stone and a Holy People

2 Therefore, rid yourselves of^(CZ) all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.^{(DA) 2} Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word,^[q](DB) so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, ³ if you have tasted^(DC) that the Lord is good.^{[r](DD) 4} As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by^[s] God— ⁵ you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood^[t] to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God^(DE) through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

⁷ So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving,

⁸ and

They stumble because they disobey the word; they were destined^(DK) for this.

⁹ But you are a chosen race,^[y][z](DL) a royal priesthood,^[aa](DM) a holy nation,^[ab](DN) a people for his possession,^[ac](DO) so that you may proclaim the praises^[ad][ae](DP) of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.^{(DQ) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy,^(DR) but now you have received mercy.

A Call to Good Works

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles^(DS) to abstain^(DT) from sinful^(DU) desires that wage war against the soul.^{(DV) 12} Conduct^(DW) yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,^[af] so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.^(DX)

¹³ Submit^(DY) to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor^[ag] as the supreme authority^{(DZ) 14} or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will^(EA) that you silence the ignorance^(EB) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,^(EC) but as God’s slaves.^{(ED) 17} Honor everyone. Love^(EE) the brothers and sisters.^(EF) Fear God.^(EG) Honor the emperor.

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸ Household slaves, submit to your masters^(EH) with all reverence^(EI) not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.^{(EJ) 19} For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,^(EK) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered^(EL) for you, leaving you an example,^(EM) that you should follow^(EN) in his steps. ²² He did not commit sin,^(EO) and no deceit^(EP) was found in his mouth;^{[ah](EQ) 23} when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges^(ER) justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins^(ES) in his body^(ET) on the tree;^(EU) so that, having died to sins,^(EV) we might live for righteousness.^(EW) By his wounds^[ai](EX) you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray,^[aj](EY) but you have now returned to the Shepherd^(EZ) and Overseer^[ak] of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 In the same way, wives,^(FA) submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word,^(FB) they may be won over^(FC) without a word by the way their wives live^{(FD) 2} when they observe your pure, reverent lives.^{(FE) 3} Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes,^{(FF) 4} but rather what is inside the heart^[al](FG)—the imperishable quality of a gentle^(FH) and quiet^(FI) spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For in the past, the holy^(FJ) women who put their hope^(FK) in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ just as Sarah^(FL) obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.^(FM)

⁷ Husbands,^(FN) in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner,^(FO) showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

⁸ Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another,^(FP) and be compassionate^(FQ) and humble,^{[am] 9} not paying back evil for evil^(FR) or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing,^(FS) since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Undeserved Suffering

¹³ Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(FZ) you are blessed. Do not fear them^[an](GA) or be intimidated,^{[ao](GB) 15} but in your hearts regard^[ap] Christ^[aq] the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.^{(GC) 16} Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,^(GD) so that when you are accused,^[ar] those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer^(GE) for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered^(GF) for sins once for all,^(GG) the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.^(GH) He was put to death in the flesh^[as](GI) but made alive by the Spirit,^{[at] 19} in which^[au] he also went and made proclamation to the spirits^(GJ) in prison ²⁰ who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah^(GK) while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people^[av](GL)—were saved through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body,^(GM) but the pledge^[aw] of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(GN) 22} who has gone into heaven^(GO) and is at the right hand of God^(GP) with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.^(GQ)

Following Christ

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered^[ax] in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding^[ay]—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished^(GR) with sin^[az]— ² in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.^{(GS) 3} For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,^(GT) drunkenness, orgies,^(GU) carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander^[ba] you. ⁵ They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(GV) 6} For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,^[bb](GW) so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards,^(GX) they might live^(GY) in the spirit according to God’s standards.

End-Time Ethics

⁷ The end of all things is near;^(GZ) therefore, be alert and sober-minded^(HA) for prayer. ⁸ Above all, maintain constant love^(HB) for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.^{[bc](HC) 9} Be hospitable^(HD) to one another without complaining. ¹⁰ Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others,^(HE) as good stewards of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides,^(HF) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Suffering

¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.^{(HG) 13} Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ,^(HH) so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.^{(HI) 14} If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,^(HJ) you are blessed, because the Spirit^(HK) of glory and of God^[bd] rests on you. ¹⁵ Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.^{[be] 16} But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.^{[bf] 17} For the time has come for judgment^(HL) to begin with God’s household,^(HM) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

¹⁹ So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves^(HO) to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.

About the Elders

5 I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness^(HP) to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed:^{(HQ) 2} Shepherd God’s flock among you,^(HR) not overseeing^[bh] out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you;^[bi] not out of greed for money but eagerly; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd^(HS) appears, you will receive the unfading crown^(HT) of glory. ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with^[bj] humility toward one another, because

Conclusion

⁶ Humble^(HV) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand^(HW) of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.^{(HX) 8} Be sober-minded,^(HY) be alert.^(HZ) Your adversary the devil^(IA) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. ⁹ Resist him,^(IB) firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

¹⁰ The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory^(IC) in Christ,^[bl] will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.^{[bm] 11} To him be dominion^[bn] forever.^[bo] Amen.

¹² Through Silvanus,^[bp](ID) a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon,^(IE) chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.^(IF) Peace^(IG) to all of you who are in Christ.^[bq]

Greeting

1 Simeon^[br] Peter,^(IH) a servant and an apostle^(II) of Jesus Christ:

To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness^(IJ) of our God and Savior^(IK) Jesus Christ.

² May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God^(IL) and of Jesus our Lord.

Growth in the Faith

³ His^[bs] divine power^(IM) has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge^(IN) of him who called^(IO) us by^[bt] his own glory and goodness. ⁴ By these he has given us very great and precious promises,^(IP) so that through them you may share in the divine nature,^(IQ) escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, ⁶ knowledge with self-control,^(IR) self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, ⁷ godliness with brotherly affection,^(IS) and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless^(IT) or unfruitful^(IU) in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election,^(IV) because if you do these things you will never stumble. ¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom^(IW) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

¹² Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth^(IX) you now have. ¹³ I think it is right, as long as I am in this bodily tent,^(IY) to wake you up with a reminder, ¹⁴ since I know that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed made clear to me.^{(IZ) 15} And I will also make every effort so that you are able to recall these things at any time after my departure.^[bu]

The Trustworthy Prophetic Word

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;^(JA) instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.^{(JB) 17} For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying “This is my beloved Son,^[bv] with whom I am well-pleased!” ^{(JC) 18} We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.^{(JD) 19} We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place,^(JE) until the day dawns^(JF) and the morning star^(JG) rises in your hearts. ²⁰ Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by the will of man;^(JH) instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.^(JI)

The Judgment of False Teachers

2 There were indeed false prophets^(JJ) among the people, just as there will be false teachers^(JK) among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought^(JL) them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their depraved ways, and the way of truth will be maligned because of them.^{(JM) 3} They will exploit^(JN) you in their greed^(JO) with made-up stories. Their condemnation,^(JP) pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep.

⁴ For if God didn’t spare^(JQ) the angels who sinned but cast them into hell^[bw](JR) and delivered them in chains^[bx] of utter darkness to be kept for judgment;^{(JS) 5} and if he didn’t spare the ancient world, but protected Noah,^(JT) a preacher of righteousness, and seven others,^[by](JU) when he brought the flood on the world of the ungodly; ⁶ and if he reduced the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah^(JV) to ashes and condemned them to extinction,^[bz] making them an example of what is coming to the ungodly;^{(JW) 7} and if he rescued righteous Lot,^(JX) distressed by the depraved behavior of the immoral ⁸ (for as that righteous man lived among them day by day, his righteous soul was tormented by the lawless deeds he saw and heard^(JY))— ⁹ then the Lord knows how to rescue^(JZ) the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,^{(KA) 10} especially those who follow the polluting desires of the flesh and despise authority.^(KB)

Bold, arrogant people! They are not afraid to slander the glorious ones; ¹¹ however, angels, who are greater in might and power, do not bring a slanderous charge against them before the Lord.^{[ca] 12} But these people, like irrational animals—creatures of instinct born to be caught and destroyed—slander what they do not understand, and in their destruction they too will be destroyed. ¹³ They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are spots and blemishes, delighting in their deceptions^[cb] while they feast with you. ¹⁴ They have eyes full of adultery^(KC) that never stop looking for sin. They seduce unstable people and have hearts trained in greed. Children under a curse!^{(KD) 15} They have gone astray by abandoning the straight path^(KE) and have followed the path of Balaam,^(KF) the son of Bosor,^[cc] who loved the wages of wickedness^{(KG) 16} but received a rebuke for his lawlessness: A speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.^(KH)

¹⁷ These people are springs without water, mists driven by a storm. The gloom of darkness has been reserved for them.^{(KI) 18} For by uttering boastful, empty words,^(KJ) they seduce, with fleshly desires and debauchery, people who have barely escaped^[cd] from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.^{(KK) 20} For if, having escaped the world’s impurity through the knowledge of the Lord^[ce] and Savior Jesus Christ,^(KL) they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first.^{(KM) 21} For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness^(KN) than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command^(KO) delivered^(KP) to them.^{(KQ) 22} It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to its own vomit,^[cf](KR) and, “A washed sow returns to wallowing in the mud.”

The Day of the Lord

3 Dear friends, this is now the second letter^(KS) I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincere^(KT) understanding by way of reminder, ² so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. ³ Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days^(KU) scoffing and following their own evil desires, ⁴ saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised?^(KV) Ever since our ancestors fell asleep,^(KW) all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” ⁵ They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God^(KX) the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.^{(KY) 6} Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded.^{(KZ) 7} By the same word,^(LA) the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment^(LB) and destruction of the ungodly.

⁸ Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.^{(LC) 9} The Lord does not delay his promise,^(LD) as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any^(LE) to perish^(LF) but all to come to repentance.^(LG)

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord^(LH) will come like a thief;^[cg](LI) on that day the heavens will pass away^(LJ) with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved,^(LK) and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.^{[ch][ci] 11} Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness ¹² as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming.^[cj](LL) Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. ¹³ But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth,^(LM) where righteousness dwells.^(LN)

Conclusion

¹⁴ Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.^{(LO) 15} Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.^{(LP) 16} He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction,^(LQ) as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.

¹⁷ Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard,^(LR) so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge^(LS) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.^[ck](LT)

Prologue: Our Declaration

1 What was from the beginning,^(LU) what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word^(LV) of life— ² that life was revealed,^(LW) and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us^(LX)— ³ what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship^(LY) with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father^(LZ) and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things^[cl] so that our^[cm] joy^(MA) may be complete.

Fellowship with God

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light,^(MB) and there is absolutely no darkness in him.^{(MC) 6} If we say, “We have fellowship^(MD) with him,” and yet we walk in darkness,^(ME) we are lying and are not practicing the truth.^{(MF) 7} If we walk in the light^(MG) as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus^(MH) his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,”^(MI) we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive^(MJ) us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word^(MK) is not in us.^(ML)

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^(MM) with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. ² He himself is the atoning sacrifice^[cn](MN) for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.^(MO)

God’s Commands

³ This is how we know^(MP) that we know him: if we keep his commands.^{(MQ) 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,^(MR) truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him:^{(MS) 6} The one who says he remains in him^(MT) should walk just as he walked.

⁷ Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command^(MU) but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the word^(MV) 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^(MW) and the true light^(MX) is already shining.^{(MY) 9} The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister^(MZ) is in the darkness until now. ¹⁰ The one who loves his brother or sister^(NA) remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.^{[co] 11} But the one who hates his brother or sister^(NB) is in the darkness, walks in the darkness,^(NC) and doesn’t know where he’s going,^(ND) because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Reasons for Writing

A Warning about the World

¹⁵ Do not love the world^(NI) or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,^(NJ) the lust of the eyes,^(NK) and the pride^(NL) in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ And the world with its lust is passing away,^(NM) but the one who does the will of God^(NN) remains forever.^(NO)

The Last Hour

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour.^(NP) And as you have heard that antichrist^(NQ) is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

²⁰ But you have an anointing^(NR) from the Holy One,^(NS) and all of you know the truth.^{[cp] 21} I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth. ²² Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?^(NT) This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ No one who denies the Son has the Father;^(NU) he who confesses the Son has the Father as well.^(NV)

Remaining with God

²⁴ What you have heard from the beginning is to remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son^(NW) and in the Father.^{(NX) 25} And this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life.^(NY)

²⁶ I have written these things to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. ²⁷ As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, his anointing teaches you about all things^(NZ) and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you,^[cq] remain in him.^(OA)

God’s Children

²⁸ So now, little children, remain in him so that when he appears^(OB) we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.^{(OC) 29} If you know that he is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right^(OD) has been born of him.^(OE)

3 See what great love^[cr] the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. ² Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed.^(OF) We know that when he appears,^[cs] we will be like him^(OG) because we will see him as he is.^{(OH) 3} And everyone who has this hope^(OI) in him purifies himself just as he is pure.^(OJ)

⁴ Everyone who commits sin practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. ⁵ You know that he was revealed so that he might take away sins,^[ct](OK) and there is no sin in him.^{(OL) 6} Everyone who remains in him^(OM) does not sin;^[cu](ON) everyone who sins^[cv] has not seen him or known him.

⁷ Little children, let no one deceive you. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. ⁸ The one who commits^[cw] sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God^(OO) was revealed^(OP) for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s works. ⁹ Everyone who has been born of God^(OQ) does not sin,^[cx] because his seed^(OR) remains in him; he is not able to sin,^[cy] because he has been born of God. ¹⁰ This is how God’s children and the devil’s children become obvious. Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother or sister.^(OS)

Love in Action

¹¹ For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another, ¹² unlike Cain,^(OT) who was of the evil one^(OU) and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

¹³ Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates^(OV) you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.^{(OW) 15} Everyone who hates his brother or sister^(OX) is a murderer,^(OY) and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. ¹⁶ This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life^(OZ) for us.^(PA) We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.^{(PB) 17} If anyone has this world’s goods^(PC) and sees a fellow believer^[cz] in need^(PD) but withholds compassion^(PE) from him—how does God’s love reside in him?^{(PF) 18} Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.^(PG)

¹⁹ This is how we will know that we belong to the truth^(PH) and will reassure our hearts before him ²⁰ whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things.^(PI)

²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands^(PJ) and do what is pleasing in his sight. ²³ Now this is his command: that we believe in the name^(PK) of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps his commands remains in him,^(PL) and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us^(PM) is from the Spirit^(PN) he has given us.

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits^(PO) to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh^(PP) is from God,^{(PQ) 3} but every spirit that does not confess Jesus^[da] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist,^(PR) which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you^(PS) is greater than the one who is in the world.^{(PT) 5} They are from the world.^(PU) Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us;^(PV) anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.^(PW)

Knowing God through Love

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God^(PX) and knows God. ⁸ The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ God’s love was revealed among us^[db] in this way: God sent^(PY) his one and only Son^(PZ) into the world so that we might live^(QA) through him. ¹⁰ Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us^(QB) and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice^[dc](QC) for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.^{(QD) 12} No one has ever seen God.^(QE) If we love one another, God remains in^[dd] us and his love is made complete in us. ¹³ This is how we know that we remain in him^(QF) and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.^{(QG) 14} And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son^(QH) as the world’s Savior. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses^(QI) that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. ¹⁶ And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. ¹⁷ In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment,^(QJ) because as he is, so also are we in this world.^{(QK) 18} There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear,^(QL) because fear involves punishment.^[de] So the one who fears is not complete in love.^{(QM) 19} We love^[df] because he first loved us.^{(QN) 20} If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister,^(QO) he is a liar.^(QP) For the person who does not love his brother or sister^(QQ) whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.^{[dg] 21} And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God,^(QR) and everyone who loves the Father^[dh] also loves the one born of him. ² This is how we know that we love God’s children: when we love God and obey^[di] his commands. ³ For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden,^{(QS) 4} because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.

The Certainty of God’s Testimony

⁵ Who is the one who conquers the world^(QT) but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?^{(QU) 6} Jesus Christ—he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water^(QV) and by blood.^(QW) And the Spirit is the one who testifies,^(QX) because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three that testify:^{[dj](QY) 8} the Spirit,^(QZ) the water, and the blood^(RA)—and these three are in agreement. ⁹ If we accept human testimony, God’s testimony^(RB) is greater, because it is God’s testimony that he has given about his Son. ¹⁰ The one who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. The one who does not believe God has made him a liar,^(RC) because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about his Son. ¹¹ And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² The one who has the Son has life.^(RD) The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life. ¹³ I have written these things to you who believe in the name^(RE) of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Effective Prayer

¹⁴ This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask^(RF) anything according to his will, he hears us.^{(RG) 15} And if we know that he hears whatever we ask,^(RH) we know that we have what we have asked of him.^(RI)

¹⁶ If anyone sees a fellow believer^[dk] committing a sin that doesn’t lead to death, he should ask, and God will give life to him—to those who commit sin that doesn’t lead to death. There is sin^[dl] that leads to death. I am not saying he should pray about that. ¹⁷ All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin that doesn’t lead to death.

Conclusion

¹⁸ We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the one who is born of God keeps him,^[dm](RJ) and the evil one does not touch him. ¹⁹ We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. ²⁰ And we know that the Son of God has come^(RK) and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one.^[dn] We are in the true one—that is, in his Son, Jesus Christ.^(RL) He is the true God and eternal life.

²¹ Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Greeting

¹ The elder:

To the elect^(RM) lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not only I, but also all who know the truth^(RN)— ² because of the truth that remains in us^(RO) and will be with us forever.

³ Grace, mercy, and peace^(RP) will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son^(RQ) of the Father, in truth and love.^(RR)

Truth and Deception

⁴ I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth,^(RS) in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. ⁵ So now I ask you, dear lady—not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.^{(RT) 6} This is love:^(RU) that we walk according to his commands.^(RV) This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love.^[do]

⁷ Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.^(RW) This is the deceiver and the antichrist.^{(RX) 8} Watch yourselves so that you don’t lose what we^[dp] have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.^{(RY) 9} Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching^(RZ) but goes beyond it does not have God.^(SA) The one who remains^(SB) in that teaching, this one has both the Father^(SC) and the Son.^{(SD) 10} If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive^(SE) him into your home, and do not greet him; ¹¹ for the one who greets him shares^(SF) in his evil works.^(SG)

Farewell

¹² Though I have many things to write to you,^(SH) I don’t want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy^(SI) may be complete.

¹³ The children of your elect sister send you greetings.

Greeting

¹ The elder:^(SJ)

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.^(SK)

² Dear friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and are in good health,^(SL) just as your whole life is going well.^{[dq] 3} For I was very glad when fellow believers came and testified^(SM) to your fidelity to the truth—how you are walking in truth.^{(SN) 4} I have no greater joy^(SO) than this: to hear that my children^(SP) are walking in truth.

Gaius Commended

⁵ Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers. ⁶ They have testified to your love before the church.^(SQ) You will do well to send them on their journey^(SR) in a manner worthy of God,^{(SS) 7} since they set out for the sake of the Name,^(ST) accepting nothing from pagans.^{[dr](SU) 8} Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can be coworkers with the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

⁹ I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them,^(SV) does not receive our authority.^{(SW) 10} This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering^(SX) us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome fellow believers, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

¹¹ Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil,^(SY) but what is good. The one who does good is of God;^(SZ) the one who does evil has not seen God.^{(TA) 12} Everyone speaks well of Demetrius—even the truth itself. And we also speak well of him, and you know^(TB) that our testimony is true.^(TC)

Farewell

¹³ I have many things to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with pen and ink. ¹⁴ I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

¹⁵ Peace to you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name.