1My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate Jn 14:26 with the Father — Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

2He Himself is the propitiation Rm 3:25; 2Co 5:21; Heb 2:17; 1Jn 4:10 for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. Mt 26:13; 28:19-20; Mk 14:9; Rm 1:8

3This is how we are sure Jn 13:35; 1Jn 2:5; 3:19,24; 4:2,6,13; 5:2 that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. Jn 14:15; 15:10

4The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn't keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5But whoever keeps His word, Jn 14:23 truly in him the love of God is perfected. Or truly completed This is how we know we are in Him: Jn 6:56; 14:20; 15:1-7; Rm 8:1; 2Co 5:17; Eph 2:10; Php 1:1

6The one who says he remains in Him Jn 15:4-7; 1Jn 2:24,27-28; 3:6,24; 4:13,15-16 should walk just as He walked.

7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command Mk 7:8; Jn 13:34; 2Jn 5 but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message Lk 6:47; Jn 1:1 you have heard.

8Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away Rm 13:12; 1Co 7:31; 1Jn 2:17 and the true light Jn 1:9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 12:46 is already shining. Jn 1:5; 12:35-36; Rv 22:5

9The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother 1Jn 2:11; 3:15; 4:20 is in the darkness until now.

10The one who loves his brother Rm 12:10; 1Th 4:9; Heb 13:1; 1Pt 1:22; 1Jn 3:10,14-17; 4:20-21 remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. Or in it

11But the one who hates his brother Lv 19:17; 1Jn 3:15; 4:20 is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, 1Jn 1:6 and doesn’t know where he’s going, Jn 14:6 because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12I am writing to you, little children,

13I am writing to you, fathers,

14I have written to you, children,

15Do not love the world Jn 15:19; 17:16; Rm 12:2; Jms 1:27; 4:4 or the things that belong to Lit things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

16For everything that belongs to Lit that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, Rm 13:14; Eph 2:3; 1Pt 4:2; 2Pt 2:18 the lust of the eyes, Gn 3:6; Pr 27:20 and the pride Jms 4:16 in one’s lifestyle — is not from the Father, but is from the world.

17And the world with its lust is passing away, 1Jn 2:8 but the one who does God’s will Mk 3:35; Eph 6:6; 1Th 4:3; 1Pt 2:15 remains forever. Jn 8:35; 12:34; 2Co 9:9; 1Pt 1:25

18Children, it is the last hour. Jn 2:4; 1Pt 4:7 And as you have heard, “Antichrist Mt 24:5,24; 1Jn 2:22; 4:3; 2Jn 7 is coming,” even now many antichrists have come. We know from this that it is the last hour.

19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

20But you have an anointing 2Co 1:21 from the Holy One, Ps 89:18; Mk 1:24; Ac 10:38 and all of you have knowledge. Other mss read and you know all things

21I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth.

22Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah? Jn 20:31; Ac 18:5; Eph 5:2; 1Jn 5:1 This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son.

23No one who denies the Son can have the Father; Jn 5:23 he who confesses the Son has the Father as well. Jn 8:19; 16:3; 17:3; 1Jn 4:15; 5:1; 2Jn 9

24What you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son Jn 15:4-7; 1Jn 2:6,27-28; 3:6,24; 4:13,15-16 and in the Father. Jn 10:38; Col 3:3; 1Th 1:1; 1Jn 4:15-16

25And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. Jn 4:14; 1Tm 4:8; 2Tm 1:1; Ti 1:2

26I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

27The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things Jn 14:26 and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him. Jn 15:4-7; 1Jn 2:6; 3:6,24; 4:13,15-16

28So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears Lk 17:30; Col 3:4; 1Jn 3:2 we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1Th 2:19

29If you know that He is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right Gn 18:19; Dt 6:18; 1Jn 3:7,10 has been born of Him. Jn 1:12-13; 3:3-7; 8:41; 1Jn 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18