1 John 1:5-2:11

New International Version

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

⁵This 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. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness,^(C) we lie and do not live out the truth.^(D) ⁷But 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)

⁸If we claim to be without sin,^(G) we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.^(H) ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins^(I) and purify us from all unrighteousness.^(J) ¹⁰If 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. ²He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,^(P) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.^(Q)

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

³We know^(R) that we have come to know him^(S) if we keep his commands.^(T) ⁴Whoever says, “I know him,”^(U) but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.^(V) ⁵But if anyone obeys his word,^(W) love for God^[b] is truly made complete in them.^(X) This is how we know^(Y) we are in him: ⁶Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.^(Z)

⁷Dear friends,^(AA) I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.^(AB) This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸Yet I am writing you a new command;^(AC) its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing^(AD) and the true light^(AE) is already shining.^(AF)

⁹Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister^[c]^(AG) is still in the darkness.^(AH) ¹⁰Anyone who loves their brother and sister^[d] lives in the light,^(AI) and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.^(AJ) ¹¹But anyone who hates a brother or sister^(AK) is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.^(AL) They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.^(AM)

Footnotes

1 John 1:7 Or every
1 John 2:5 Or word, God’s love
1 John 2:9 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15, 17; 4:20; 5:16.
1 John 2:10 The Greek word for brother and sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in 3:10; 4:20, 21.