1My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
3And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.
7Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.
9If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer,*2:9 Greek hates his brother; also in 2:11. that person is still living in darkness.
12I am writing to you who are God’s children
because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.*2:12 Greek through his name.
13I am writing to you who are mature in the faith*2:13 Or to you fathers; also in 2:14.
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I am writing to you who are young in the faith
because you have won your battle with the evil one.
14I have written to you who are God’s children
because you know the Father.
I have written to you who are mature in the faith
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I have written to you who are young in the faith
because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
and you have won your battle with the evil one.
15Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
18Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.
20But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit,*2:20 Greek But you have an anointing from the Holy One. and all of you know the truth.
24So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.
26I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray.
28And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.
29Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.