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Prologue: Our Declaration

¹ What was from the beginning,^(C1) what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word^(C2) of life— ² that life was revealed,^(C1) and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us^(C2)— ³ what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship^(C1) with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father^(C2) and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things^(F1) so that our^(F2) joy^(C1) may be complete.

Fellowship with God

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light,^(C1) and there is absolutely no darkness in him.^{(C2) 6} If we say, “We have fellowship^(C1) with him,” and yet we walk in darkness,^(C2) we are lying and are not practicing the truth.^{(C3) 7} If we walk in the light^(C1) as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus^(C2) his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,”^(C1) we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive^(C1) us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word^(C1) is not in us.^(C2)