² They have written the same things that ·we learned from [^Lwere handed down by] others—the ·people who saw those things [^Leyewitnesses] from the beginning and ·served God by telling people his message [^Lwere servants of the word; Acts 10:39–41; 1 John 1:1–3]. ³ Since I myself have ·studied [investigated; followed closely] everything carefully from the beginning, most excellent [^Ca designation for someone with high social or political status] Theophilus, it seemed ·good [fitting] for me to write it out for you. I arranged it ·in order [or in an orderly manner], ⁴ to help you know that what you have been taught is ·true [certain; reliable; John 20:31].