English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
2
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
3
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
4
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
5
But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
6
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.