1HE who was from the beginning, the one whom we have heard and seen with our eyes, looked upon and handled with our hands, we declare to you that he is the word of life. 2For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness to it, and preach to you eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us; 3It is that which we have seen and heard that we declare to you, so that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4And these things we write to you, that our joy in you may be complete.

5This then is the good news which we have heard from him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him and yet live in darkness, we lie, and do not follow the truth: 7But if we live in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.