¶ 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.
¶ See that ye love 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. For all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of goods) is not of the father: but of the world. And the world vanisheth away, and the lust thereof: but he that fulfilleth the will of God, abideth ever.
¶ Little children it is the last time, and as ye have heard how the Antichrist shall come: even now are there many Antichrists come already whereby we know that it is the last time. They 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 that fortuned that it might appear, that they were not of us.
¶ And ye have an ointment of the holy ghost, and ye know all things. I wrote not unto you, as though ye knew not the truth: but as though ye knew it, and know also that no lie cometh of truth. Who is a liar: but he that denieth that Iesus is Christ? he is the Antichrist that denieth the father and the son. Whosoever denieth the son, the same hath not the father. Let therefore abide in you that same which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the son, and in the father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
¶ This have I written unto you, as concerning them that deceive you. And the anointing which ye have received of him dwelleth in you. And ye need not that any man teach you: but as that annointing teacheth you all things, and is true, and is no lie: and as it taught you, even so bide therein. And now babes abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may be bold, and not be made ashamed of him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, know also that he which followeth righteousness, is born of him.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526