Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,x

because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.y

13 I am writing to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.z

I am writing to you, young men,

because you have overcomea the evil one.b

14 I write to you, dear children,c

because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.d

I write to you, young men,

because you are strong,e

and the word of Godf lives in you,g

and you have overcome the evil one.h

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.i If anyone loves the world, love for the Fatherd is not in them.j 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,k the lust of the eyes,l and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away,m but whoever does the will of Godn lives forever.