Prologue: Our Declaration
1What was from the beginning, Jn 1:1; 1Jn 2:13-14
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we have observed
and have touched with our hands,
concerning the Word Ps 119:25; Jn 1:1,4; 5:24; Php 2:16 of life —
2that life was revealed, Jn 1:31; 21:1,14; Col 3:4; 1Pt 5:4; 1Jn 2:28; 3:5,8
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 1Jn 5:20 —
3what we have seen and heard
we also declare to you,
so that you may have fellowship Php 3:10 along with us;
and indeed our fellowship is with the Father Mt 11:27
and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4We are writing these things Other mss add to you
so that our Other mss read your joy 2Co 2:3; Php 1:4,25; 2:18 may be complete.
Fellowship with God
5Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, Ps 27:1; 36:9; Jn 12:46; 1Tm 6:16 and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. 1Jn 2:5
6If we say, “We have fellowship 2Co 8:4 with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, Pr 2:13; Is 9:2; 50:10; Jn 8:12; 12:35; 1Jn 2:11 we are lying and are not practicing Or not living according to the truth. Jn 14:6; 2Co 11:10; 3Jn 3
7But if we walk in the light Eph 5:8-14; Col 1:12-14; Php 2:15; 1Th 5:5 as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Heb 10:19; 12:24; 1Pt 1:2,19; Rv 1:5 His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8If we say, “We have no sin,” Pr 20:9; Jr 2:35; Rm 3:9-23; Jms 3:2 we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive Ps 103:3; Jr 31:34; Mt 9:6; 26:28; Col 1:14; Jms 5:15 us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word Lk 8:21; Heb 4:12 is not in us. Jn 8:37
Holman Christian Standard Bible®
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by Holman Bible Publishers