1. My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ the Righteous One.
2. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
3. This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands.
4. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn't keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him:
6. The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.
7. Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message 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 and the true light is already shining.
9. The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
10. The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12. I am writing to you, little children,because your sins have been forgivenbecause of Jesus’ name.
13. I am writing to you, fathers,because you have come to knowthe One who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men,because you have had victory over the evil one.
14. I have written to you, children,because you have come to know the Father.I have written to you, fathers,because you have come to knowthe One who is from the beginning.I have written to you, young men,because you are strong,God’s word remains in you,and you have had victory over the evil one.