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Believe in Jesus Christ

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is God's Messiah has become a child of God. And if we love God, our Father, we will love his other children too. 2 How do we know that we love God's children? We know it when we love God and we do what he tells us to do. 3 Because, if we really love God, we will obey his commands. And those commands are not difficult for us to obey. 4 Because we have become God's children, we can live in a good way. We can refuse to live like people who belong to this world. We are able to win against the wrong ways of this world because we trust Jesus Christ. 5 It is only people who believe that Jesus is the Son of God who can do that. Only they can win against the wrong ways of this world.

6 Jesus Christ is the man that God sent into the world. John baptized Jesus in water. When Jesus died, his blood poured out. God showed that Jesus is his Son with the water and with the blood. It was not only with the water of Jesus' baptism. It was also with the blood of his death. God's Holy Spirit also shows us that Jesus is God's Son. The Holy Spirit always says what is true. 7 So there are three things that show us clearly that Jesus came from God. 8 Those things are the Holy Spirit, the water of Jesus' baptism and the blood of his death on the cross. These all show us the same thing, that Jesus came from God. [ a ]

9 We believe people who tell us about things that they know. So we can believe even more what God says. He has told us what is true about his Son. So we should believe his message.

10 Anyone who believes in Jesus, the Son of God, will know that what God says is true. But anyone who does not believe God is saying that God tells lies. He does not believe the message that God has told us clearly about his Son. 11 This is what God has told us: God has given us life with him that never ends. We receive this life when we believe in his Son, Jesus. 12 So whoever belongs to the Son has this true life. But anyone who does not belong to the Son of God does not have this true life.

Christians have true life with God

13 I have written these things to you who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I want you to know that you have true life with God for ever. 14 Also, we can trust God to help us when we turn to him. We know that he will hear us. When we ask for anything that he wants us to have, he listens to us. 15 Since we know that, we also know that God will give to us the things that we ask for. It is like we have already received those things from him.

16 If you see that another Christian is doing something bad, this is what you should do. If it is a sin that does not cause death, pray that God will help him. Then God will help that person to live for ever with him. That is for a sin which does not cause death. But there is a sin that causes death. If another Christian does that, I am not saying that you should pray for God to help that person. 17 Any wrong thing that a person does is sin. But not all sins cause death. [ b ]

18 Nobody who has become a child of God continues to do wrong things. Instead, the Son of God keeps him safe. [ c ] Satan cannot do anything against a child of God. 19 We know that we belong to God. We know that Satan rules all the people who belong to this world. 20 We also know that the Son of God has come into the world. He has helped us to understand what is true. As a result, we know the only true God. We live together with this true God, because we belong to his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God. He is the one who gives us life with God for ever.

21 My little children, be careful to keep away from idols. [ d ]

Footnotes

  1. 5:8 When John baptized Jesus, God spoke from heaven. He said, ‘This is my Son.’ See Matthew 17:5 ; Mark 9:7 ; Luke 9:35 . When Jesus died on the cross, he did that as a sacrifice to save us from our sins. His blood was the blood of a sacrifice offered to God.
  2. 5:17 ‘A sin that causes death’ is when someone does a bad thing that takes him completely away from life with God. A sin like that causes a person to die in their spirit, so that they can no longer live with God for ever.
  3. 5:18 Or: ‘God keeps his children safe.’
  4. 5:21 John is writing this letter to help Christians to know God better. He wants them to be sure that they have true life with God. If we trust in Jesus as the Son of God, we become God's children. God will hear us when we pray to him. He will give us the good things that he chooses for us. God will keep us safe from the power of Satan. He will help us to do what is good, so that we do not continue to do wrong things.

God’s Children Win Against the World

5 The people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah are God’s children. Anyone who loves the Father also loves the Father’s children. 2 How do we know that we love God’s children? We know because we love God and we obey his commands. 3 Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us, 4 because everyone who is a child of God has the power to win against the world. 5 It is our faith that has won the victory against the world. So who wins against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

God Told Us About His Son

6 Jesus Christ is the one who came. He came with water and with blood. [ a ] He did not come by water only. No, Jesus came by both water and blood. And the Spirit tells us that this is true. The Spirit is the truth. 7 So there are three witnesses that tell us about Jesus: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood. These three witnesses agree.

9 We believe people when they say something is true. But what God says is more important. And this is what God told us: He told us the truth about his own Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the truth that God told us. But people who do not believe God make God a liar, because they do not believe what God told us about his Son. 11 This is what God told us: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

We Have Eternal Life Now

13 I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God. I write so that you will know that you have eternal life now. 14 We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. 15 He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.

16 Suppose you see your fellow believer sinning (sin that does not lead to eternal death). You should pray for them. Then God will give them life. I am talking about people whose sin does not lead to eternal death. There is sin that leads to death. I don’t mean that you should pray about that kind of sin. 17 Doing wrong is always sin. But there is sin that does not lead to eternal death.

18 We know that those who have been made God’s children do not continue to sin. The Son of God keeps them safe. [ b ] The Evil One cannot hurt them. 19 We know that we belong to God, but the Evil One controls the whole world. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding. So now we can know the one who is true, and we live in that true God. We are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God, and he is eternal life. 21 So, dear children, keep yourselves away from false gods.

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 5:6 water, blood Probably meaning the water of Jesus’ baptism and the blood he shed on the cross.
  2. 1 John 5:18 The Son … safe Literally, “The one who was born from God keeps him safe” or “… keeps himself safe.”

5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Overcoming the World

5 ( A ) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the [ a ] Christ has been ( B ) born of God, and everyone who loves the [ b ] Father ( C ) loves the child born of Him. 2 ( D ) By this we know that ( E ) we love the children of God, when we love God and [ c ] follow His commandments. 3 For ( F ) this is the love of God, that we ( G ) keep His commandments; and ( H ) His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For [ d ] whoever has been ( I ) born of God ( J ) overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who ( K ) believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the One who came ( L ) by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not [ e ] with the water only, but [ f ] with the water and [ g ] with the blood. It is ( M ) the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are ( N ) three that testify: 8 [ h ] the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are [ i ] in agreement. 9 ( O ) If we receive the testimony of people, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that ( P ) He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God ( Q ) has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has ( R ) made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us ( S ) eternal life, and ( T ) this life is in His Son. 12 ( U ) The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

This Is Written That You May Know

13 ( V ) These things I have written to you who ( W ) believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have ( X ) eternal life. 14 This is ( Y ) the confidence which we have [ j ] before Him, that, ( Z ) if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, ( AA ) we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother or sister [ k ] committing a sin not leading to death, ( AB ) he shall ask and [ l ] God will, for him, give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. ( AC ) There is sin leading to death; ( AD ) I am not saying that he should ask about that. 17 ( AE ) All unrighteousness is sin, and ( AF ) there is sin not leading to death.

18 ( AG ) We know that ( AH ) no one who has been born of God [ m ] sins; but He who was born of God ( AI ) keeps him, and ( AJ ) the evil one does not ( AK ) touch him. 19 ( AL ) We know that ( AM ) we are of God, and that ( AN ) the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And ( AO ) we know that ( AP ) the Son of God has come, and has ( AQ ) given us understanding so that we may know ( AR ) Him who is true; and we ( AS ) are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. ( AT ) This is the true God and ( AU ) eternal life.

21 ( AV ) Little children, guard yourselves from ( AW ) idols.

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 5:1 I.e., Messiah
  2. 1 John 5:1 Lit one who has fathered
  3. 1 John 5:2 Lit do
  4. 1 John 5:4 Lit everything that
  5. 1 John 5:6 Lit in
  6. 1 John 5:6 Lit in
  7. 1 John 5:6 Lit in
  8. 1 John 5:8 A few late mss add ...in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth, the Spirit
  9. 1 John 5:8 Lit for the one thing
  10. 1 John 5:14 Lit toward
  11. 1 John 5:16 Lit sinning
  12. 1 John 5:16 Or God will give him life , that is, to those who ...
  13. 1 John 5:18 Or sins continually

Faith in the Incarnate Son of God

5 Everyone who believes ( A ) that Jesus is the Christ ( B ) is born of God, ( C ) and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. ( D ) 2 This is how we know ( E ) that we love the children of God: ( F ) by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. ( G ) And his commands are not burdensome, ( H ) 4 for everyone born of God ( I ) overcomes ( J ) the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. ( K )

6 This is the one who came by water and blood ( L ) —Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ( M ) 7 For there are three ( N ) that testify: 8 the [ a ] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept human testimony, ( O ) but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, ( P ) which he has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. ( Q ) Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, ( R ) because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, ( S ) and this life is in his Son. ( T ) 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. ( U )

Concluding Affirmations

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God ( V ) so that you may know that you have eternal life. ( W ) 14 This is the confidence ( X ) we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ( Y ) 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know ( Z ) that we have what we asked of him. ( AA )

16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. ( AB ) I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. ( AC ) I am not saying that you should pray about that. ( AD ) 17 All wrongdoing is sin, ( AE ) and there is sin that does not lead to death. ( AF )

18 We know that anyone born of God ( AG ) does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one ( AH ) cannot harm them. ( AI ) 19 We know that we are children of God, ( AJ ) and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. ( AK ) 20 We know also that the Son of God has come ( AL ) and has given us understanding, ( AM ) so that we may know him who is true. ( AN ) And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. ( AO )

21 Dear children, ( AP ) keep yourselves from idols. ( AQ )

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 5:8 Late manuscripts of the Vulgate testify in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. 8 And there are three that testify on earth: the (not found in any Greek manuscript before the fourteenth century)