1What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked at and what our hands touched, [this is our message] concerning the word of life. 2The Life2354 was revealed and we have seen, and testify, and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and which was revealed to us. 3What we have seen and heard, this is what we proclaim to you, so that you also may have communion2355 with us. Truly, our communion is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4We write these things to you so that our joy may be fulfilled!
God is light
5This is the message which we have heard from him and which we now announce to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have communion with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie—we do not practice the truth.
The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin
7But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we do have communion with one another and the blood of his Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so that he will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.
- Capitalization is arbitrary but called for by John’s emphasis on Christ as (our) true Life. Compare Acts 5:20.
- Greek koinwni,an (could also be translated: fellowship)
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
