1
My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
2
And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
3
This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
4
He who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5
But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:
6
he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
7
Brothers, 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.
8
Again, I write a new commandment to you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.
9
He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now.