1 We ·write [announce/proclaim to] you now about what ·has always existed [was from the beginning; Gen. 1:1; John 1:1], which we have heard, [^Lwhich] we have seen with our own eyes, [^Lwhich] we have looked at, and we have touched with our hands. We ·write [announce/proclaim] to you about the ·Word that gives life [Word of life; ^Cassociating the logos or “word” with Jesus suggests he is God’s communication with humanity; John 1:4; 11:25; 14:6]. ² ·He who gives life [^LThe life] ·was shown [appeared; was revealed] to us. We saw him and can ·give proof about [testify/witness to] it. And now we ·announce [proclaim; declare] to you ·that he has life that continues forever [^Lthe eternal life]. He was with ·God the Father [^Lthe Father] and ·was shown [appeared; was revealed] to us. ³ We ·announce [proclaim; declare] to you what we have seen and heard, ·because we want you also to have [so that you also may have] fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with ·God the Father [^Lthe Father] and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We write this to you so ·we^[a] may be full of joy [our joy may be complete/perfect/come to full expression].

God Forgives Our Sins

⁵ Here is the message we have heard from ·Christ [^Lhim] and now ·announce [proclaim; declare] to you: God is light [^Creferring to God’s truth and goodness], and in him there is no darkness [^Creferring to falsehood and evil] at all. ⁶ So if we say we have fellowship with God, but we ·continue living [^Lare walking] in darkness, we are liars and do not ·follow [perform; practice; act according to] the truth [John 8:12; 12:35]. ⁷ But if we ·live [^Lwalk] in the light, as ·God [^Lhe] is in the light, we ·can share [have] fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from every sin.

⁸ If we say we ·have no sin [or have no sin nature; or are not guilty of sinning], we are ·fooling [deceiving] ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because ·we can trust God to do what is right [^Lhe is faithful and righteous/just; Deut. 32:4]. He will ·cleanse [purify] us from all ·the wrongs we have done [unrighteousness]. ¹⁰ If we ·say [claim] we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and ·we do not accept God’s teaching [^Lhis word is not in us].