1 My little children (believers, dear ones), I am writing you these things so that you will not sin and violate God’s law. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate [who will intercede for us] with the Father: Jesus Christ the righteous [the upright, the just One, who conforms to the Father’s will in every way—purpose, thought, and action].
1 (A)My little children, I am (B)writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, (C)we have an (a)(D)Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
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(A) with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One.
1 My little children, I'm writing these things to you so that you might not sin. Yet if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus, the Messiah, one who is righteous.
2 And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.
2 and He Himself is (E)the (b)propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also (F)for those of the whole world.
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
2 He Himself is the propitiation(B) for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.(C)
2 It is he who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world's.
3 And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
3 This is how we can be sure that we have come to know him: if we continually keep his commandments.
4 Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him.
4 The one who says, “(J)I have come to (K)know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a (L)liar, and (M)the truth is not in him;
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
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.
4 The person who says, "I have come to know him," but does not continually keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth has no place in that person.
5 But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him:
5 but whoever (N)keeps His word, in him the (O)love of God has truly been perfected. (P)By this we know that we are in Him:
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
5 But whoever keeps His word,(F) truly in him the love of God is perfected.(a) This is how we know we are in Him:(G)
5 But whoever continually keeps his commandments is the kind of person in whom God's love has truly been perfected. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God:
6 whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
6 The one who says that he abides in him must live the same way he himself lived.
7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the message which you have heard [before from us].(A)
7 (S)Beloved, I am (T)not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (U)from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command(I) but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message(J) you have heard.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning. This old commandment is the word you have heard.
8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true and realized in Christ and in you, because the darkness [of moral blindness] is clearing away and the true Light [the revelation of God in Christ] is already shining.
8 (c)On the other hand, I am writing (V)a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because (W)the darkness is passing away and (X)the true Light is already shining.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
8 Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away(K) and the true light(L) is already shining.(M)
8 On the other hand, I am writing to you a new commandment that is truly in him and in you. For the darkness is fading away, and the true light is already shining.
9 The one who says he is in the Light [in consistent fellowship with Christ] and yet (a)habitually hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is in the darkness until now.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
9 The person who says that he is in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
10 The one who (b)loves and unselfishly seeks the best for his [believing] brother lives in the Light, and in him there is no occasion for stumbling or offense [he does not hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin].
10 (AA)The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
10 The one who loves his brother(O) remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.(b)
10 The person who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no reason for him to stumble.
11 But the one who habitually hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is in [spiritual] darkness and is walking in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
11 But the one who (AB)hates his brother is in the darkness and (AC)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has (AD)blinded his eyes.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
11 But the one who hates his brother(P) is in the darkness, walks in the darkness,(Q) and doesn’t know where he’s going,(R) because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
11 But the person who hates his brother is in the darkness and lives in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 I am writing to you, little children (believers, dear ones), because your sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake [you have been pardoned and released from spiritual debt through His name because you have confessed His name, believing in Him as Savior].
12 I am writing to you, (AE)little children, because (AF)your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
12 I am writing to you, little children,because your sins have been forgivenbecause of Jesus’ name.(S)
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers [those believers who are spiritually mature], because you know Him who has existed from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men [those believers who are growing in spiritual maturity], because you have been victorious and have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children [those who are new believers, those spiritually immature], because you have come to know the Father.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him (AG)who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because (AH)you have overcome (AI)the evil one. I have written to you, children, because (AJ)you know the Father.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,because you have come to knowthe One who is from the beginning.(T)I am writing to you, young men,because you have had victory over the evil one.(U)
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known the one who has existed from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have overcome the evil one.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has existed from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the word of God remains [always] in you, and you have been victorious over the evil one [by accepting Jesus as Savior].
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him (AK)who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are (AL)strong, and the (AM)word of God abides in you, and (AN)you have overcome the evil one.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked 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(V) remains in you,and you have had victory over the evil one.
14 I have written to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known the one who has existed from the beginning. I have written to you, young people, because you are strong and because God's word remains in you and you have overcome the evil one.
15 Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15 Do not love (AO)the world nor the things in the world. (AP)If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15 Do not love the world(W) or the things that belong to(c) the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
15 Stop loving the world and the things that are in the world. If anyone persists in loving the world, the Father's love is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.
16 For all that is in the world, (AQ)the lust of the flesh and (AR)the lust of the eyes and (AS)the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
16 For everything that belongs to(d) the world—the lust of the flesh,(X) the lust of the eyes,(Y) and the pride(Z) in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.
16 For everything that is in the world the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.
17 (AT)The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who (AU)does the will of God lives forever.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
17 And the world with its lust is passing away,(AA) but the one who does God’s will(AB) remains forever.(AC)
17 And the world and its desires are fading away, but the person who does God's will remains forever.
18 Children, it is the last hour [the end of this age]; and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming [the one who will oppose Christ and attempt to replace Him], even now many antichrists (false teachers) have appeared, which confirms our belief that it is the last hour.
18 Children, (AV)it is the last hour; and just as you heard that (AW)antichrist is coming, (AX)even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
18 Children, it is the last hour.(AD) And as you have heard, “Antichrist(AE) is coming,” even now many antichrists have come. We know from this that it is the last hour.
18 Little children, it is the last hour. Just as you heard that an antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us [seeming at first to be Christians], but they were not really of us [because they were not truly born again and spiritually transformed]; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out [teaching false doctrine], so that it would be clearly shown that none of them are of us.
19 (AY)They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, (AZ)so that (d)it would be shown that they all are not of us.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
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.
19 They left us, but they were not part of us, for if they had been part of us, they would have stayed with us. Their leaving made it clear that none of them was really part of us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit], and all of you know [the truth because He teaches us, illuminates our minds, and guards us from error].
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
20 You have an anointing from the Holy One and know all things.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie [nothing false, no deception] is of the truth.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but (BD)because you do know it, and (f)because no lie is (BE)of the truth.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
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.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because lies don't come from truth.
22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? This is the antichrist [the enemy and antagonist of Christ], the one who denies and consistently refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son.
22 Who is the liar but (BF)the one who denies that Jesus is the (g)Christ? This is (BG)the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
22 Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah?(AH) This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son.
22 Who is a liar but the person who denies that Jesus is the Messiah? The person who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.
23 Whoever denies and repudiates the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses and acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
23 (BH)Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
23 No one who denies the Son can have the Father;(AI) he who confesses the Son has the Father as well.(AJ)
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. The person who acknowledges the Son also has the Father.
24 As for you, let that remain in you [keeping in your hearts that message of salvation] which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you too will remain in the Son and in the Father [forever].
24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard (BI)from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also (BJ)will abide in the Son and in the Father.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
24 What you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son(AK) and in the Father.(AL)
24 What you have heard from the beginning must abide in you. If what you have heard from the beginning abides in you, you will also abide in the Son and in the Father.
26 These things I have written to you with reference to those who are trying to deceive you [seducing you and leading you away from the truth and sound doctrine].
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
26 I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
26 I have written to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
27 As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as His anointing has taught you, (c)you must remain in Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him].
27 As for you, the (BM)anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing (BN)teaches you about all things, and is (BO)true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, (i)you abide in Him.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
27 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(AN) and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him.(AO)
27 The anointing you received from God abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you this. Instead, because God's anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not a lie, abide in him, as he taught you to do.
28 Now, little children (believers, dear ones), remain in Him [with unwavering faith], so that when He appears [at His return], we may have [perfect] confidence and not be ashamed and shrink away from Him at His coming.
28 Now, (BP)little children, abide in Him, so that when He (BQ)appears, we may have (BR)confidence and (BS)not (j)shrink away from Him in shame (k)at His (BT)coming.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
28 So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears(AP) we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.(AQ)
28 Even now, little children, abide in him. Then, when he appears, we will have confidence and will not turn away from him in shame when he comes.
29 If you know that He is absolutely righteous, you know [for certain] that everyone who practices righteousness [doing what is right and conforming to God’s will] has been born of Him.
29 If you know that (BU)He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness (BV)is (l)born of Him.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right(AR) has been born of Him.(AS) >
29 Since you know that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been fathered by God.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.
International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.
King James Version Public Domain
New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org