1 The message concerning the Word of life, who always existed, whom we have heard, whom we have seen with our own eyes, whom we have looked at and whom our own hands have touched—this we proclaim. 2 Indeed, the life appeared; we have seen him, and so as firsthand witnesses bring ᵖyou+ news about the source of the life of the coming age, who was with the Father and appeared to us. 3 What we have seen and heard we pass on likewise to you, so that you, too, may share in the very fellowship that we ourselves know. And this fellowship, moreover, that we ourselves enjoy, is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus the Messiah. 4 Indeed, these things we are writing so that we may all be filled with the greatest of joy.

5 This is the message that we have received from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is in him no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to be in fellowship with him, and yet live in the darkness, we are lying and not living our lives in accordance with the truth. 7 If it is the light, however, in which we are living our lives, just as he himself is in the light, then it is close fellowship that we have with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from every sin. 8 If we claim that we are of sin not guilty, we are our own selves merely deceiving, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we are willing to confess our sins, however, God is indeed faithful and true to his good and merciful will, and so will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from every kind of wickedness. 10 If we say, “we aren’t guilty of sin,” we are making God out to be a liar, and his word does not dwell in us.