Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

⁵ This is the message we have heard^(A) from him and declare to you: God is light;^(B) in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness,^(C) we lie and do not live out the truth.^{(D) 7} But if we walk in the light,^(E) as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[a] sin.^(F)

⁸ If we claim to be without sin,^(G) we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.^{(H) 9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins^(I) and purify us from all unrighteousness.^{(J) 10} If we claim we have not sinned,^(K) we make him out to be a liar^(L) and his word is not in us.^(M)

2 My dear children,^(N) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate^(O) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,^(P) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.^(Q)

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am^(A) the true vine,^(B) and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,^(C) while every branch that does bear fruit^(D) he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.^{(E) 4} Remain in me, as I also remain in you.^(F) No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;^(G) apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.^{(H) 7} If you remain in me^(I) and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.^{(J) 8} This is to my Father’s glory,^(K) that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.^(L)