²⁰ But you have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit], and all of you know [the truth because He teaches us, illuminates our minds, and guards us from error]. ²¹ I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie [nothing false, no deception] is of the truth. ²² Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? This is the antichrist [the enemy and antagonist of Christ], the one who denies and consistently refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son. ²³ Whoever denies and repudiates the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses and acknowledges the Son has the Father also. ²⁴ As for you, let that remain in you [keeping in your hearts that message of salvation] which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you too will remain in the Son and in the Father [forever].

The Promise Is Eternal Life

²⁵ This is the promise which He Himself promised us—eternal life.

²⁶ These things I have written to you with reference to those who are trying to deceive you [seducing you and leading you away from the truth and sound doctrine]. ²⁷ As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as His anointing has taught you, ^[a]you must remain in Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him].