1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we looked upon and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life—
2 and the life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and we announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—
3 what we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you too may share fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 We are writing these things to you so that your joy may be made complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and are announcing to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him whatever.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while walking in the darkness, we are lying and not doing the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from every sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we are leading ourselves astray, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, so that he forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word has no place in us.