I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1That which was from the beginning, 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;
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
4We write this to make our joy complete.
5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1My 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.
2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
3We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
4Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
5But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:
6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
6Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
7Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.
8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.
10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
10Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
11But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
12I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
14I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
16For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
18Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
19They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
20But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
21I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.
22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
22Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.
23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
24As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
25And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
28And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
3All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
4Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
5But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
8The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.
10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
11For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.
13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
13Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
15Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
17If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
18Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
19This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:
20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
20If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God
22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
22and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.
23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
24The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.
6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
13This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
17This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19We love him, because he first loved us.
19We love because he first loved us.
20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
20Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
21And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
6This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
7For there are three that testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
8And there are three that testify on earth: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and these three are in agreement.
9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
9We accept human testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
10Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.
11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
16If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
16If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.
17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
18We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
18We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.
19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
21Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.