Introduction

1 In the beginning the Word was;

and the Word was with God;

and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God;

3 through him all things came into being,

and nothing came into being apart from him.

4 That which came into being in him was life;

and the life was the light of humanity;

5 and the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness never overpowered it.

6 There appeared a man sent from God, whose name was John;

7 he came as a witness – to bear witness to the light

so that through him everyone might believe.

8 He was not the light,

but he came to bear witness to the light.

9 That was the true light which enlightens everyone coming into the world.

10 He was in the world;

and through him the world came into being –

yet the world did not know him.

11 He came to his own –

yet his own did not receive him.

12 But to all who did receive him he gave power to become children of God –

to those who believe in his name.

13 For not to natural conception, nor to human instincts, nor to human will did they owe the new life,

but to God.

14 And the Word became human, and lived among us,

(We saw his glory – the glory of the Only Son sent from the Father),

full of love and truth.

15 (John bears witness to him; he cried aloud – for it was he who spoke –

‘He who is coming after me is now before me,

for he was ever first’);

16 out of his fullness we have all received

gift after gift of love;

17 for the Law was given through Moses,

love and truth came through Jesus Christ.

18 No one has ever yet seen God;

God the only Son, who is ever with the Father –

he has revealed him.