1We are writing about what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we observed and touched with our hands—this is about the Word of life.
2This life was shown to us. We saw it and now testify and announce to you this eternal life, which was with the Father and was shown to us.
3We announce to you what we have seen and heard so that you can also have a relationship with us. Our relationship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4We are writing these things to you so that our joy may be complete.
5This is the message we heard from him and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
6If we say we have a relationship with him but live in darkness, we are lying and not living by the truth.
7But if we live in the light, just as he is in the light, we have a relationship with each other, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8If we claim we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and fair to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wrongdoing.
10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his message is not in us.