Chapter 2

My dear children, these things I write to you in order that you may not sin. But if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the just;

and he is a propitiation for our sins, not for ours only but also for those of the whole world. Observe the Commandments Especially Charity

And by this we can be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He who says that he knows him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him.

But he who keeps his word, in him the love of God is truly perfected; and by this we know that we are in him.

He who says that he abides in him, ought himself also to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, no new commandment am I writing to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard.

Again, a new commandment I am writing to you, and this is true both in him and in you. Because the darkness has passed away and the true light is now shining.

He who says that he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in the darkness still.

He who loves his brother abides in the light, and for him there is no stumbling.

But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and he does not know whither he goes; because the darkness has blinded his eyes. Reasons for Writing

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one.

I am writing to you, little ones, because you know the Father. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have conquered the evil one.

Do not love the world, or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him;

because all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; which is not from the Father, but from the world.

And the world with its lust is passing away, but he who does the will of God abides forever. Against False Teachers

Dear children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have arisen; whence we know that it is the last hour.

They have gone forth from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would surely have continued with us; but they were to be made manifest, that not one of them is of us.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One and you know all things.

I have not written to you as to those who do not know the truth, but as to those who know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is the Antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

No one who disowns the Son has the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.

As for you, let that which you have heard from the beginning abide in you. If that abides in you which you have heard from the beginning, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

And this is the promise that he has given us, the life everlasting.

These things I have written to you concerning those who lead you astray.

And as for you, let the anointing which you have received from him, dwell in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and is no lie, even as it has taught you, abide in him. Children of God

And now, dear children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence, and may not shrink ashamed from him at his coming.

If you know that he is just, know that everyone also who does what is just has been born of him.