| 1 | [We are writing] about the Word of Life [
[a]in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. |
| 2 | And the Life [
[b]an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [
[c]in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers]. |
| 3 | What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may
[d]realize
and
enjoy fellowship as partners
and
partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a
[e]distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). |
| 4 | And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be full [and
[f]
your
joy may be complete]. |
| 5 | And this is the message [the message of
[g]promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [
[h]no, not in any way]. |
| 6 | [So] if we say we are partakers together
and
enjoy fellowship with Him when we live
and
move
and
are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live
and
practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents]. |
| 7 | But if we [really] are living
and
walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ
His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin
and
guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. |
| 8 | If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude
and
lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. |
| 9 | If we [freely] admit that we have sinned
and
confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. |
| 10 | If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word
and
make Him out to be false
and
a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts]. |
|