1That which was from the beginning declare we unto you, which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life. 2For the life appeared, and we have seen, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the father, and appeared unto us. 3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye may have fellowship with us, and that our fellowship may be with the father, and his son Iesus Christ. 4And this write we unto you, that our joy may be full.

5And this is the tidings which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and yet walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7but and if we walk in light even as he is in light, then have we fellowship with him, and the blood of Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and truth is not in us. 9If we knowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.