Dec 26 - 1 John 1-5, 2 John 1, 3 John 1, Jude 1
1 John
1He who was from the beginning, whom we have heard, whom we have seen with our eyes, upon whom we have gazed, and whom our hands have certainly touched: He is the Word of Life2And that Life has been made manifest. And we have seen, and we testify, and we announce to you: the Eternal Life, who was with the Father, and who appeared to us3He whom we have seen and heard, we announce to you, so that you, too, may have fellowship with us, and so that our fellowship may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ4And this we write to you, so that you may rejoice, and so that your joy may be full5And this is the announcement which we have heard from him, and which we announce to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness6If we claim that we have fellowship with him, and yet we walk in darkness, then we are lying and not telling the truth7But if we walk in the light, just as he also is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin8If we claim that we have no sin, then we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us9If we confess our sins, then he is faithful and just, so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity10If we claim that we have not sinned, then we make him a liar, and his Word is not in us
1My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One2And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world3And we can be sure that we have known him by this: if we observe his commandments4Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him5But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him6Whoever declares himself to remain in him, ought to walk just as he himself walked7Most beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but the old commandment, which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word, which you have heard8Then too, I am writing to you a new commandment, which is the Truth in him and in you. For the darkness has passed away, and the true Light is now shining9Whoever declares himself to be in the light, and yet hates his brother, is in the darkness even now10Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause of offense in him11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness, and in darkness he walks, and he does not know where he is going. For the darkness has blinded his eyes12I am writing to you, little sons, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of his name13I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, adolescents, because you have overcome the evil one14I am writing to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I am writing to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one15Do not choose to love the world, nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the charity of the Father is not in him16For all that is in the world is the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the arrogance of a life which is not of the Father, but is of the world17And the world is passing away, with its desire. But whoever does the will of God abides unto eternity18Little sons, it is the last hour. And, as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have arrived. By this, we know that it is the last hour19They went out from among us, but they were not of us. For, if they had been of us, certainly they would have remained with us. But in this way, it is made manifest that none of them are of us20Yet you have the anointing of the Holy One, and you know everything21I have not written to you as to ones who are ignorant of the truth, but as to ones who know the truth. For no lie is of the truth22Who is a liar, other than he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the Antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son23No one who denies the Son also has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son, also has the Father24As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you, too, shall abide in the Son and in the Father25And this is the Promise, which he himself has promised to us: Eternal Life26I have written these things to you, because of those who would seduce you27But as for you, let the Anointing that you have received from him abide in you. And so, you have no need of anyone to teach you. For his Anointing teaches you about everything, and it is the truth, and it is not a lie. And just as his Anointing has taught you, abide in him28And now, little sons, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have faith, and we may not be confounded by him at his advent29If you know that he is just, then know, too, that all who do what is just are born of him
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we would be called, and would become, the sons of God. Because of this, the world does not know us, for it did not know him2Most beloved, we are now the sons of God. But what we shall be then has not yet appeared. We know that when he does appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is3And everyone who holds this hope in him, keeps himself holy, just as he also is holy4Everyone who commits a sin, also commits iniquity. For sin is iniquity5And you know that he appeared in order that he might take away our sins. For in him there is no sin6Everyone who abides in him does not sin. For whoever sins has not seen him, and has not known him7Little sons, let no one deceive you. Whoever does justice is just, even as he also is just8Whoever commits sin is of the devil. For the devil sins from the beginning. For this reason, the Son of God appeared, so that he might eradicate the works of the devil9All those who have been born of God do not commit sin. For the offspring of God abides in them, and he is not able to sin, because he was born of God10In this way, the sons of God are made manifest, and also the sons of the devil. Everyone who is not just, is not of God, as also anyone who does not love his brother11For this is the announcement that you heard from the beginning: that you should love one another12Do not be like Cain, who was of the evil one, and who killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked, but his brother’s works were just13If the world hates you, brothers, do not be surprised14We know that we have passed from death to life. For we love as brothers. Whoever does not love, abides in death15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding within him16We know the love of God in this way: because he laid down his life for us. And so, we must lay down our lives for our brothers17Whoever possesses the goods of this world, and sees his brother to be in need, and yet closes his heart to him: in what way does the love of God abide in him18My little sons, let us not love in words only, but in works and in truth19In this way, we will know that we are of the truth, and we will commend our hearts in his sight20For even if our heart reproaches us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things21Most beloved, if our heart does not reproach us, we can have confidence toward God22and whatever we shall request of him, we shall receive from him. For we keep his commandments, and we do the things that are pleasing in his sight23And this is his commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he has commanded us24And those who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And we know that he abides in us by this: by the Spirit, whom he has given to us
1Most beloved, do not be willing to believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world2The Spirit of God may be known in this way. Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has arrived in the flesh is of God3and every spirit who contradicts Jesus is not of God. And this one is the Antichrist, the one that you have heard is coming, and even now he is in the world4Little sons, you are of God, and so you have overcome him. For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world5They are of the world. Therefore, they speak about the world, and the world listens to them6We are of God. Whoever knows God, listens to us. Whoever is not of God, does not listen to us. In this way, we know the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error7Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God8Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love9The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him10In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins11Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another12No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us13In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit14And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world15Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God16And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him17In this way, the love of God is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment. For as he is, so also are we, in this world18Fear is not in love. Instead, perfect love casts out fear, for fear pertains to punishment. And whoever fears is not perfected in love19Therefore, let us love God, for God first loved us.20If anyone says that he loves God, but hates his brother, then he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he does see, in what way can he love God, whom he does not see21And this is the commandment that we have from God, that he who loves God must also love his brother
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And everyone who loves God, who provides that birth, also loves him who has been born of God2In this way, we know that we love those born of God: when we love God and do his commandments3For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not heavy4For all that is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world: our faith5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God6This is the One who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ. Not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies that the Christ is the Truth7For there are Three who give testimony in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. And these Three are One8And there are three who give testimony on earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood. And these three are one9If we accept the testimony of men, then the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater: that he has testified about his Son10Whoever believes in the Son of God, holds the testimony of God within himself. Whoever does not believe in the Son, makes him a liar, because he does not believe in the testimony which God has testified about his Son11And this is the testimony which God has given to us: Eternal Life. And this Life is in his Son12Whoever has the Son, has Life. Whoever does not have the Son, does not have Life13I am writing this to you, so that you may know that you have Eternal Life: you who believe in the name of the Son of God14And this is the confidence which we have toward God: that no matter what we shall request, in accord with his will, he hears us15And we know that he hears us, no matter what we request; so we know that we can obtain the things that we request of him16Anyone who realizes that his brother has sinned, with a sin that is not unto death, let him pray, and life shall be given to him who has sinned not unto death. There is a sin which is unto death. I am not saying that anyone should ask on behalf of that sin17All that is iniquity is sin. But there is a sin unto death18We know that everyone who is born of God does not sin. Instead, rebirth in God preserves him, and the evil one cannot touch him19We know that we are of God, and that the entire world is established in wickedness20And we know that the Son of God has arrived, and that he has given us understanding, so that we may know the true God, and so that we may remain in his true Son. This is the true God, and this is Eternal Life21Little sons, keep yourselves from false worship. Amen
2 John
1The Elder to the Elect Lady, and those born of her, whom I love in the truth: and not I alone, but also all those who have known the truth2because the truth which dwells in us shall be with us for eternity3May grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus, the Son of the Father, in truth and in love4I was very glad because I discovered some of your sons walking in the truth, just as we received the commandment from the Father5And now I petition you, Lady, not as if writing a new commandment to you, but instead that commandment which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another6And this is love: that we walk according to his commandments. For this is the commandment that you have heard in the same way from the beginning, and in which you should walk7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has arrived in the flesh. Such a one as this is a deceiver and an antichrist8Be cautious for yourselves, lest you lose what you have accomplished, and so that, instead, you may receive a full reward9Everyone who withdraws and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. Whoever remains in the doctrine, such a one as this has both the Father and the Son10If anyone comes to you, and does not bring this doctrine, do not be willing to receive him into the house, and do not speak a greeting to him11For whoever speaks a greeting to him, is speaking with his evil works12I have much more to write to you, but I am not willing to do so through paper and ink. For I hope that I may be with you in the future, and that I may speak face to face, so that your joy may be full13The sons of your Elect Sister greet you
3 John
1The Elder, to Gaius, most beloved, whom I love in the truth2Most beloved, concerning everything, I make it my prayer that you may benefit by advancing and succeeding in whatever may be to the benefit of your soul3I was very glad when the brothers arrived, and when they offered testimony to the truth in you, that you are walking in the truth4I have no greater grace than this, when I hear that my sons are walking in the truth5Most beloved, you should act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and those who are sojourners6they have given testimony to your charity in the sight of the Church. You would do well to lead these ones worthily to God7For they set out, on behalf of his name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers8Therefore, we must accept such as these, in order that we may cooperate with the truth9As it happens, I had written to the church. But Diotrephes, who loves to bear the highest rank among them, would not accept us10Because of this, when I come, I will admonish his works which he does, babbling against us with malicious words. And as if this were not sufficient for him, he himself does not receive the brothers. And those who do receive them, he hinders, and he ejects them from the church11Most beloved, do not be willing to imitate what is evil; instead imitate what is good. Whoever does good is of God. Whoever does evil has not seen God12Testimony is being given for Demetrius by everyone, and by the truth itself. And we also offer testimony. And you know that our testimony is true13I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing, through ink and pen, to write to you14Yet I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name
Jude
1Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are beloved in God the Father, and who are guarded and called in Jesus Christ2May mercy, and peace, and love be fulfilled in you3Most beloved, taking all care to write to you about your common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you in order to beg you to contend earnestly for the faith that was handed down once to the saints4For certain men entered unnoticed, who were written of beforehand unto this judgment: impious persons who are transforming the grace of our God into self-indulgence, and who are denying both the sole Ruler and our Lord Jesus Christ5So I want to caution you. Those who once knew everything that Jesus did, in saving the people from the land of Egypt, afterwards perished because they did not believe6And truly, the Angels, who did not keep to their first place, but instead abandoned their own domiciles, he has reserved with perpetual chains under darkness, unto the great day of judgment7And also Sodom and Gomorrah, and the adjoining cities, in similar ways, having given themselves over to fornication and to the pursuing of other flesh, were made an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire8Similarly also, these ones certainly defile the flesh, and they despise proper authority, and they blaspheme against majesty9When Michael the Archangel, disputing with the devil, contended about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring against him a judgment of blasphemy, so instead he said: "The Lord commands you.10But these men certainly blaspheme against whatever they do not understand. And yet, whatever they, like mute animals, know from nature, in these things they are corrupted11Woe to them! For they have gone after the way of Cain, and they have poured out the error of Balaam for profit, and they have perished in the sedition of Korah12These ones are defiled within their banquets, enjoying themselves and feeding themselves without fear; waterless clouds, which are tossed about by winds; autumn trees, unfruitful, twice dead, uprooted13raging waves of the sea, foaming from their own confusion; wandering stars, for whom the whirlwind of darkness has been reserved forever14And about these, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied, saying: "Behold, the Lord is arriving with thousands of his saints15to execute judgment against everyone, and to reprove all the impious concerning all the works of their impiety, by which they have acted impiously, and concerning all the harsh things that impious sinners have spoken against God.16These ones are complaining murmurers, walking according to their own desires. And their mouth is speaking arrogance, admiring persons for the sake of gain17But as for you, most beloved, be mindful of the words which have been foretold by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ18who declared to you that, in the end time, there would arrive mockers, walking according to their own desires, in impieties19These are the ones who segregate themselves; they are animals, not having the Spirit20But you, most beloved, are building yourselves up by your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit21keeping yourselves in the love of God, and anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life22So certainly, reprove them, after they have been judged23Yet truly, save them, seizing them from the fire. And have mercy on others: in fear, hating even that which is of the flesh, the defiled garment24Then, to him who has the power to keep you free from sin and to present you, immaculate, with exultation, before the presence of his glory at the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ25to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord: to him be glory and magnificence, dominion and power, before all ages, and now, and in every age, forever. Amen