1:1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,1:2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,1:4to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn't fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,1:5who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.1:6Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,1:7that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ--1:8whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory--1:9receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.1:10Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,1:11searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.1:12To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
1:13Therefore,prepare your minds for action,be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ--1:14as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,1:15but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;1:16because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."*1:17If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:1:18knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,1:19but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ;1:20who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake,1:21who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
1:22Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:1:23having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.1:24For,
This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.
2:1Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,2:2as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby,2:3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:2:4coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.2:5You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.2:6Because it is contained in Scripture,
2:7For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient,
2:8and,
For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:2:10who in time past were no people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.2:11Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;2:12having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.2:13Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme;2:14or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well.2:15For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:2:16as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
2:17Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.2:18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.2:19For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.2:20For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.2:21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leavingyouan example, that you should follow his steps,2:22who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth."*2:23Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;2:24who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.2:25For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd andOverseerof your souls.
3:1In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;3:2seeing your pure behavior in fear.3:3Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;3:4but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.3:5For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:3:6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.
3:7You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.
3:8Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,3:9not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.3:10For,
3:13Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good?3:14But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."*3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:3:16having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good manner of life in Christ.3:17For it is better, if it is God's will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.3:18Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;3:19in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison,3:20who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.3:21This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,3:22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
4:1Forasmuch then as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;4:2that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.4:3For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.4:4They think it is strange that you don't run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming:4:5who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.4:6For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.4:7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.4:8And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.4:9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.4:10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.4:11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
4:12Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.4:13But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.4:15For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men's matters.4:16But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.4:17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God?4:18"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?"*4:19Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
5:1I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.5:2Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;5:3neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.5:4When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away.
5:5Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."*5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;5:7casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
5:8Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.5:9Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.5:10But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.5:11To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
5:12Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.5:13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you; and so does Mark, my son.5:14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Notes:
[1]back to 1:13literally, "gird up the waist of your mind"
[2]back to 1:16Leviticus 11:44-45
[3]back to 1:25Isaiah 40:6-8
[4]back to 2:6Isaiah 28:16
[5]back to 2:7Psalm 118:22
[6]back to 2:8Isaiah 8:14
[7]back to 2:21TR reads "us" instead of "you"
[8]back to 2:22Isaiah 53:9
[9]back to 2:25"Overseer" is from the Greek episkopon, which can mean overseer, curator, guardian, or superintendent.
[10]back to 3:12Psalm 34:12-16
[11]back to 3:14Isaiah 8:12
[12]back to 4:18Proverbs 11:31
[13]back to 5:5Proverbs 3:34
1:1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:1:2Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,1:3seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;1:4by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.1:5Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;1:6and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;1:7and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.1:8For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.1:9For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.1:10Therefore,brothers,be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.1:11For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
1:12Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.1:13I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you;1:14knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.1:15Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.1:16For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.1:17For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."*1:18We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
1:19We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:1:20knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.1:21For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
2:1But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.2:2Many will follow theirimmoralways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned.2:3In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber.2:4For if God didn't spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down toTartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;2:5and didn't spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood on the world of the ungodly;2:6and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly;2:7and delivered righteous Lot, who was very distressed by the lustful life of the wicked2:8(for that righteous man dwelling among them, was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day with seeing and hearing lawless deeds):2:9the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment;2:10but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;2:11whereas angels, though greater in might and power, don't bring a railing judgment against them before the Lord.2:12But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed,2:13receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you;2:14having eyes full of adultery, and who can't cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing;2:15forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrong-doing;2:16but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with a man's voice and stopped the madness of the prophet.2:17These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.2:18For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error;2:19promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
2:20For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.2:21For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.2:22But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, "The dog turns to his own vomit again,"*and "the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire."
3:1This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you;3:2that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:3:3knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts,3:4and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."3:5For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water, by the word of God;3:6by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.3:7But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.3:8But don't forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.3:9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.3:10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.3:11Therefore since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness,3:12looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?3:13But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
3:14Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight.3:15Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you;3:16as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.3:17You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Notes:
[1]back to 1:10The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[2]back to 1:17Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35
[3]back to 2:2TR reads "destructive" instead of "immoral"
[4]back to 2:4Tartarus is another name for Hell
[5]back to 2:22Proverbs 26:11
1:1That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life1:2(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);1:3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.1:4And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
1:5This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.1:6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth.1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.1:8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1:10If we say that we haven't sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2:1My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have aCounselorwith the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.2:2And he is theatoning sacrificefor our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.2:3This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.2:4One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.2:5But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:2:6he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
2:7Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.2:8Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.2:9He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now.2:10He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.2:11But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn't know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
2:12I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
2:13I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, little children, because you know the Father.
2:14I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
2:15Don't love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love isn't in him.2:16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's.2:17The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.
2:18Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.2:19They went out from us, but they didn't belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.2:20You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know the truth.2:21I have not written to you because you don't know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.2:22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.2:23Whoever denies the Son, the same doesn't have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.
2:24Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.2:25This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.2:26These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray.2:27As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don't need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.2:28Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.2:29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of him.
3:1Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.3:2Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.3:3Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.3:4Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness.3:5You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.3:6Whoever remains in him doesn't sin. Whoever sins hasn't seen him, neither knows him.
3:7Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.3:8He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil.3:9Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God.3:10In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother.3:11For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;3:12unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous.3:13Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.3:14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn't love his brother remains in death.3:15Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
3:16By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.3:17But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?3:18My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.3:19And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him,3:20because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.3:21Beloved, if our hearts don't condemn us, we have boldness toward God;3:22and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.3:23This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded.3:24He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.
4:1Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.4:2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,4:3and every spirit who doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already.4:4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.4:5They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.4:6We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn't listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
4:7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.4:8He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.4:9By this God's love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.4:10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as theatoning sacrificefor our sins.4:11Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.4:12No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.
4:13By this we know that we remain in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.4:14We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.4:15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.4:16We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.4:17In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.4:18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.4:19We love Him, because he first loved us.4:20If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?4:21This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.
5:1Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Whoever loves the father also loves the child who is born of him.5:2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments.5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.5:4For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.5:5Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?5:6This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.5:7For there are three who testify*:5:8the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three agree as one.5:9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God's testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.5:10He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn't believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son.5:11The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.5:12He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn't have God's Son doesn't have the life.5:13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
5:14This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.5:15And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
5:16If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don't say that he should make a request concerning this.5:17All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.5:18We know that whoever is born of God doesn't sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn't touch him.5:19We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.5:20We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
5:21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Notes:
[1]back to 2:1Greek Parakleton: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comfortor.
[2]back to 2:2"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "hilasmos," an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation--the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.
[3]back to 4:10"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "hilasmos," an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation--the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.
[4]back to 5:7Only a few recent manuscripts add "in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth"