John 1:1-18

The Word Became Human

1 In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was with God in the beginning.

3 All things were made through him. Nothing that has been made was made without him.

4 Life was in him, and that life was the light for all people.

5 The light shines in the darkness. But the darkness has not understood it.

6 A man came who was sent from God. His name was John.

7 He came to give witness about that light. He gave witness so that all people could believe.

8 John himself was not the light. He came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

10 The Word was in the world that was made through him. But the world did not recognize him.

11 He came to what was his own. But his own people did not accept him.

12 Some people did accept him. They believed in his name. He gave them the right to become children of God.

13 To be a child of God has nothing to do with human parents. Children of God are not born because of human choice or because a husband wants them to be born. They are born because of what God does.

14 The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory. It is the glory of the one and only Son. He came from the Father. And he was full of grace and truth.

15 John gives witness about him. He cries out and says, "This was the one I was talking about. I said, 'He who comes after me is more important than I am. He is more important because he existed before I was born.' "

16 We have all received one blessing after another. God's grace is not limited.

17 Moses gave us the law. Jesus Christ has given us grace and truth.

18 No one has ever seen God. But God, the one and only Son, is at the Father's side. He has shown us what God is like.