| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1Whosoever 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. | 1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. |
| 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. | 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. |
| 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. | 3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, |
| 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. | 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. |
| 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? | 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. |
| 6This 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. | 6This is the one who came by water and blood--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. |
| 7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. | 7For there are three that testify: |
| 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. | 8the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. |
| 9If 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. | 9We accept human testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. |
| 10He 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. | 10Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. |
| 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. | 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. |
| 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. | 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. |
| 13These 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. | 13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. |
| 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: | 14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. |
| 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. | 15And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him. |
| 16If 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. | 16If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. |
| 17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. | 17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. |
| 18We 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. | 18We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. |
| 19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. | 19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. |
| 20And 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. | 20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. |
| 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. | 21Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. |
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