Keeping The New Commandment
1 My little children [i.e., dear ones], I am writing this to you so that you will not sin anymore. But if anyone does sin, we have Someone to go to the Father on our behalf; it is Jesus Christ, the [only] righteous One.
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 (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, 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 is the One who provides a "covering over" [or atonement] for our sins [See Heb. 2:17; Dan. 9:24; II Chron. 29:24], and not for ours [who are already Christians] only, but also for the sins of the people 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 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 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.
God's Commands
4 The person who says, "I have come to know Him," but does not obey what He commands, is lying [by such a profession], and the truth [about the matter] is not in his heart.
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, “(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 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 the person who obeys what His teaching requires, truly in this person love for God has been made complete. This is [another way] to be sure that we are in [fellowship with] 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 (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 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:
The New Commandment
7 My dearly loved ones, I am not writing to you about a new commandment, but about an old one. [It is the one] you had learned about from the beginning. [Note: This is the commandment to love one another (3:1: II John 5) which Jesus had taught his disciples during His earthly ministry. See Mark 12:31]. This old commandment is the word [of God] which you heard [previously].
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 (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 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 Yet, I am [also] writing to you about a new commandment [Note: This commandment was to love one another as Jesus loved them. See John 13:34]; its truth is [being demonstrated] by Christ [perfectly] and [also] by you people [in a lesser measure], because the darkness [of sin] is passing away, and the real light [of righteousness] is already shining [in people's lives].
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 (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 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 person who claims to be living in [harmony with] the light [i.e., by obeying God's truth], and [yet] hates his brother is still [living] in the darkness [of sin].
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 [However], the person who loves his brother continues to live in [harmony with] the light [of God's truth], and such a person is not the cause of others stumbling [over his example].
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
10 (AA)The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for 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 person who hates his brother is in the darkness [of sin] and he lives in [harmony with] that darkness, and he does not know where he is heading, because the darkness [of sin] has blinded his eyes [to his spiritual condition].
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 (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 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.
Encouragement And Assurance
12 I am writing to you, little children [i.e., dear ones], because you have been forgiven of your sins for [the sake of] Christ's name.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
12 I am writing to you, (AE)little children, because (AF)your sins have been 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, because you have known Him [i.e., Christ], [who has existed] from the beginning [See John 1:1]. I am writing to you young men, because you have overcome the [power of the] evil one [i.e., through faith they had gained victory over Satan, See 5:4].
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 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 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 little children [i.e., dear ones], because you have known the Father [as your God]. I have written to you fathers, because you have known Him [i.e., Christ], [who has existed] from the beginning. [See verse 13]. I have written to you young men, because you are [spiritually] strong and the word of God continues to live in your hearts, and you have overcome the [power of the] evil one [See verse 13].
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, 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 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.
Do Not Love The World
15 You should not love the [godless] world, nor the things [i.e., the materialistic values] that are part of this [present] age. If any person loves the world, a [genuine] love for the Father is not in his heart.
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 (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 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 makes up the world, namely, the improper desires of the physical body, the improper desires for what is seen, and the [boastful] pride over life's possessions; these are not from the Father, but from the [godless] 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 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 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 And the world, with its [physical and material] desires, is passing away, but the person who does what God wants will continue to live forever.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
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 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.
Departure Of The False Teachers
18 Dear children, it is [now] the last hour [i.e., the final period of God's dealing with people on earth], and since you have heard that an antichrist [i.e., a person who is against Christ] is coming, even now [you should be aware that] many antichrists have [already] come. This is [one way] we know that this 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, (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 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 These antichrists left our group [i.e., withdrew their fellowship from us], but they were not [really a part] of us, for if they had been, they would have continued [to participate] with us. But, by their leaving us, it proved that none of them were [really] a part of our group [after all].
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 (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 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 people have a "special gift" from the Holy One [Note: The Greek word for "special gift" is "charisma" and probably refers to the Holy Spirit (See Acts 2:38); "Holy One" probably refers to Jesus, (See Acts 2:27; 3:14)], and all of you know [the truth].
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 did not write to you people because you are ignorant of the truth [about these matters], but because you do know it, and because nothing false belongs to the true teaching.
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 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 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? It is the person who denies that Jesus [truly] is the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen One]. This person is the antichrist [See verse 18]; he is the one who denies [the truth about] 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 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 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 Every person who denies [the truth about] the Son [See 4:2-3], does not have the Father [living in his heart]; but, the person who confesses [the truth about] the Son has the Father [living in his heart] also.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath 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 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.
Remaining With God
24 You people should continue [to practice] what you heard from the beginning [i.e., to love one another, See verses 7-11]. If you do, then you also will continue in [fellowship with] the Son, and with 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 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 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.
25 And this is the promise which Christ [or, "God"] has given to us: [It is] never ending life. [Note: This passage may mean that God promised us "the Eternal Life," that is, Christ, See John 3:16].
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
25 The message that the Son himself declared to us is eternal life.
26 I have written these things to you people concerning those who are trying to lead you astray [from the truth].
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 And this is important to you: The "special gift," which you received from God [See verse 20], continues to live in your hearts, [so that] you do not need anyone to teach you [anything different]. But, since this same "special gift" teaches you concerning everything that is true, and [what it teaches] is not false, you should continue to live in [fellowship with] Christ.
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 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 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.
God's Children
28 And now, little children [i.e., dear ones], continue to live in [fellowship with] Christ, so that when He appears, we may have boldness and not have [any reason] to be ashamed in front of Him at His [second] 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 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 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.
Children Of God
29 If you know that Christ is [truly] righteous [verse 1], then you should also know that everyone who does what is right has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God [See 5:18].
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 (BU)He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness (BV)is (l)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.