Prologue: Our Declaration
1What was from the beginning, a what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word b of life— 2 that life was revealed, c 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 d— 3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship e with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father f and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things A so that our B joy g may be complete.
Fellowship with God
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, h and there is absolutely no darkness in him. i 6 If we say, “We have fellowship j with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, k we are lying and are not practicing the truth. l 7 If we walk in the light m as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus n his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” o we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive p 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 q is not in us. r