DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible - Flipbook - Page 91
Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,*
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.*
1
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist,* 7 to tell about the light so that everyone
might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he
was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light,
who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize
him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all
who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children
of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human
passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human* and made his home among us. He was full
of unfailing love and faithfulness.* And we have seen his glory, the glory of
the Father’s one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the
one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far
greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after
another.* 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love
and faithfulness came through J esus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But
the unique One, who is himself God,* is near to the Father’s heart. He has
revealed God to us.
The Testimony of John the Baptist
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple
assistants* from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out
and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
1:34 Or and nothing that was created was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything.
1:5 Or and the darkness has not understood it.
1:6 Greek a man named John.
1:14a Greek became
flesh.
1:14b Or grace and truth; also in 1:17. 1:16 Or received the grace of Christ rather than the
grace of the law; Greek reads received grace upon grace.
1:18 Some manuscripts read But the one
and only Son.
1:19 Greek and Levites.
