生命之道
1論到從太初就已經存在的生命之道，我們曾經耳聞目睹，親眼看過，親手摸過。 2這生命曾顯現過，我們看見了，現在做見證，向你們傳揚這原本與父同在、曾向我們顯現的永恆生命。 3我們把所見所聞傳給你們，使你們可以與我們相交。誠然，我們是與父和祂兒子耶穌基督相交。 4我們將這些話寫給你們，是要讓大家都充滿喜樂。
要活在光中
5我們從耶穌那裡聽見、現在傳給你們的信息就是：上帝是光，在祂裡面毫無黑暗。 6如果我們說與祂相交，卻仍過著黑暗的生活，就是撒謊，沒有遵行真理。 7如果我們生活在光明之中，像上帝在光明中一樣，就能夠彼此相交，上帝兒子耶穌的血能洗淨我們一切的罪。
8如果我們說自己沒有罪，便是自欺，真理就不在我們心中。 9如果我們承認自己的罪，上帝是信實公義的，必赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。 10我們如果說自己沒有犯過罪，就是把上帝看作說謊的，祂的道也不在我們心中。
The Incarnation of the Word of Life
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4We write this to make our1:4 Some manuscripts your joy complete.
Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all1:7 Or every sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
