1:1 论到那从起初就有的生命的圣言，就是我们听见过，我们亲眼看见过，瞻仰过，以及我们亲手摸过的生命的圣言－－
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life ? 1:2 这生命已显示出来，我们看见了，也为他作证，且把这原与父同在，且已显示给我们的永远的生命，传报给你们－－
for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us ? 1:3 我们将所见所闻的传报给你们，为使你们也同我们相通；原来我们是同父和他的子耶稣基督相通的。
what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1:4 我们给你们写这些事，是为叫我们的喜乐得以圆满。
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete. 1:5 我们由他所听见，而传报给你们的，就是这个信息：天主是光，在他内没有一点黑暗。
Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 1:6 如果我们说我们与他相通，但仍在黑暗中行走，我们就是说谎，不履行真理。
If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. 1:7 但如果我们在光中行走，如同他在光中一样，我们就彼此相通，他圣子耶稣的血就会洗净我们的各种罪过。
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. 1:8 如果我们说我们没有罪过，就是欺骗自己，真理也不在我们内。
If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1:9 但若我们明认我们的罪过，天主既是忠信正义的，必赦免我们的罪过，并洗净我们的各种不义。
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. 1:10 如果我们说我们没有犯过罪，我们就是拿他当说谎者，他的话就不在我们内。
If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.