1 We write you now about what has always existed, which we have heard, we have seen with our own eyes, we have looked at, and we have touched with our hands. We write to you about the Word^[a] that gives life. ² He who gives life was shown to us. We saw him and can give proof about it. And now we announce to you that he has life that continues forever. He was with God the Father and was shown to us. ³ We announce to you what we have seen and heard, because we want you also to have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with God the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We write this to you so we may be full of joy.^[b]

God Forgives Our Sins

⁵ Here is the message we have heard from Christ and now announce to you: God is light,^[c] and in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ So if we say we have fellowship with God, but we continue living in darkness, we are liars and do not follow the truth. ⁷ But if we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share 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, we are fooling 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. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and we do not accept God’s teaching.