1 John


Chapter 1 (1 - 2)

Something which has existed since the beginning,
that we heard,
that we saw with our own eyes,
that we touched with our hands:
the Word, who is life
- this is our subject

That life was made visible.
We saw it, and we are giving our testimony,
telling you of the eternal life
which was with the Father and has been made visible to us

Jesus, Word-made-flesh, you are the Way, the Truth and the Life

  

Chapter 1 (5 - 9)

God is light. There is no darkness in him.
If we say we are in union with God
while we are living in darkness,
we are lying, because we are not living the truth

If we say we have no sin in us,
we are deceiving ourselves
and refusing to admit the truth

But if we acknowledge our sins,
God will forgive us
and purify us from everything that is wrong

Jesus, forgive my sins. Please help me avoid sin

  

Chapter 2 (3 - 6)

We can be sure we know God
only by keeping his commandments

Anyone who says "I know him"
and does not keep his commandments,
is a liar, refusing to admit the truth

We can be sure we are in God
only if we are living the same kind of life as Christ lived

Jesus, please help me live like you, live for you

  

Chapter 2 (9 - 16)

Anyone who claims to be in the light
but hates his brother
is still in the dark

Do not love the ungodly values of this world
generated by the sensual body,
the lustful eye
and a  pride in possessions

Such things do not come from God

Jesus, please help me avoid worldly values

  

Chapter 3 (1 - 3)

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us
by letting us be called God's children

And God's love has even more in store for us in the future:
we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is

This is why we must try to live good lives.
We must try to be as good as Christ

Jesus, please help me be more like you

  

Chapter 3 (16 - 21)

This has taught us love:
that Jesus gave up his life for us.
We too should give up our lives for others

If you see someone in need
and refuse to help him,
how can the love of God be in you?

Our love must be put into practice, not be just words.
Anyone who loves God must also love other people

Jesus, help me put my love into practice by helping people in need

  

Chapter 4 (7 - 16)

Let us love one another.
Love comes from God.
God is love

God showed his love for us
by sending his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins

Since God has loved us so much
we should love one another

God is love.
Anyone who lives in love, lives in God,
and God lives in him

Jesus, you are love itself. May I live in your love

  

Chapter 4.20 - 5.13

Anyone who says "I love God"
but hates his brother, is a liar

A man who does not love the brother he can see
cannot love God whom he has never seen

Who can overcome the world?
Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God

God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son

You who believe in the Son of God
have eternal life

Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God