Wherefore derly beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and undefiled: And suppose that the long suffering of the lord is health, even as our derely beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given unto him, wrote to you, yee, almost in every pistel speaking of such things: among which are many things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned, and unstable pervert, as they do other scriptures unto their own destruction. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye are warned, Beware lest ye be also plucked away with the error of the wicked, and [fall from your] own steadfastness: but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our lord, and saviour Iesus Christ. To whom be glory both now and for ever, Amen.
The first pistel of S. Ihon
The first Chapter.
That which was from the beginning declare we unto you, 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. For the life appeared, and we have seen, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the father, and appeared unto us. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye may have fellowship with us, and that our fellowship may be with the father, and his son Iesus Christ. And this write we unto you, that our joy may be full.
And this is the tidings which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and yet walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but and if we walk in light even as he is in light, then have we fellowship with him, and the blood of Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and truth is not in us. If we knowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The second Chapter.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye should not sin: and if any man sin, yet we have an advocate with the father, Iesus Christ, which is righteous: and he it is that obtaineth grace for our sins: not for our sins only: but also for the sins of all the world. And hereby we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the verity is not in him. Whosoever keepeth his word, in him is the love of God perfect in deed. And thereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he bideth in him, ought to walk even as he walked.
Brethren I write no new commandment unto you: but that old commandment which ye heard from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye heard from the beginning. Again a new commandment I write unto you, a thing that is true in him, and also in you: for the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith how that he is in the light, and yet hateth his brother, is in darkness even until this time. He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of evil in him. He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness: and cannot tell whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Babes I write unto you how that your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you fathers, how that ye have known him that was from the beginning. I write unto you young men, how that ye have overcome the wicked. I write unto you little children, how that ye have known the father. I write unto you fathers, how that ye have known him that was from the beginning. I write unto you young men, how that ye are strong: and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome that wicked.