1 John 4 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of 1 John 4 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
ASV Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
WEB Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
YLT Beloved, every spirit believe not, but prove the spirits, if of God they are, because many false prophets have gone forth to the world;
DRB Dearly beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
DBY Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, if they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
GNV Dearely beloued, beleeue not euery spirit, but trie the spirits whether they are of God: for many false prophets are gone out into this worlde.
LSB Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Verse 2
KJV Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
ASV Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
WEB By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
YLT in this know ye the Spirit of God; every spirit that doth confess Jesus Christ in the flesh having come, of God it is,
DRB By this is the spirit of God known. Every spirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
DBY Hereby ye know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses Jesus Christ come in flesh is of God;
GNV Hereby shall ye know the Spirit of God, Euery spirit which confesseth that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God.
LSB By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
Verse 3
KJV And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
ASV and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.
WEB and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already.
YLT and every spirit that doth not confess Jesus Christ in the flesh having come, of God it is not; and this is that of the antichrist, which ye heard that it doth come, and now in the world it is already.
DRB And every spirit that dissolveth Jesus is not of God. And this is Antichrist, of whom you have heard that he cometh: and he is now already in the world.
DBY and every spirit which does not confess Jesus Christ come in flesh is not of God: and this is that [power] of the antichrist, [of] which ye have heard that it comes, and now it is already in the world.
GNV And euery spirit that confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God: but this is the spirit of Antichrist, of whome ye haue heard, how that he should come, and nowe already he is in this world.
LSB and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
Verse 4
KJV Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
ASV Ye are of God, [my] little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
WEB You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
YLT Ye--of God ye are, little children, and ye have overcome them; because greater is He who <FI>is<Fi> in you, than he who is in the world.
DRB You are of God, little children, and have overcome him. Because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
DBY *Ye* are of God, children, and have overcome them, because greater is he that [is] in you than he that [is] in the world.
GNV Litle children, ye are of God, and haue ouercome them: for greater is he that is in you, then he that is in this world.
LSB You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
Verse 5
KJV They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
ASV They are of the world: therefore speak they [as] of the world, and the world heareth them.
WEB They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.
YLT They--of the world they are; because of this from the world they speak, and the world doth hear them;
DRB They are of the world. Therefore of the world they speak: and the world heareth them.
DBY *They* are of the world; for this reason they speak [as] of the world, and the world hears them.
GNV They are of this worlde, therefore speake they of this world, and this world heareth them.
LSB They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world hears them.
Verse 6
KJV We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
ASV We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
WEB We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
YLT we--of God we are; he who is knowing God doth hear us; he who is not of God, doth not hear us; from this we know the spirit of the truth, and the spirit of the error.
DRB We are of God. He that knoweth God heareth us. He that is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
DBY *We* are of God; he that knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
GNV We are of God, he that knoweth God, heareth vs: he that is not of God, heareth vs not. Heereby knowe wee the spirit of trueth, and the spirit of errour.
LSB We are from God. The one who knows God hears us; the one who is not from God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Verse 7
KJV Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
ASV Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.
WEB Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God.
YLT Beloved, may we love one another, because the love is of God, and every one who is loving, of God he hath been begotten, and doth know God;
DRB Dearly beloved, let us love one another: for charity is of God. And every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.
DBY Beloved, let us love one another; because love is of God, and every one that loves has been begotten of God, and knows God.
GNV Beloued, let vs loue one another: for loue commeth of God, and euery one that loueth, is borne of God, and knoweth God.
LSB Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Verse 8
KJV He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
ASV He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
WEB He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love.
YLT he who is not loving did not know God, because God is love.
DRB He that loveth not knoweth not God: for God is charity.
DBY He that loves not has not known God; for God is love.
GNV Hee that loueth not, knoweth not God: for God is loue.
LSB The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Verse 9
KJV In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
ASV Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.
WEB By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
YLT In this was manifested the love of God in us, because His Son--the only begotten--hath God sent to the world, that we may live through him;
DRB By this hath the charity of God appeared towards us, because God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we may live by him.
DBY Herein as to us has been manifested the love of God, that God has sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
GNV Herein was that loue of God made manifest amongst vs, because God sent that his onely begotten sonne into this world, that we might liue through him.
LSB By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
Verse 10
KJV Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
ASV Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
WEB In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
YLT in this is the love, not that we loved God, but that He did love us, and did send His Son a propitiation for our sins.
DRB In this is charity: not as though we had loved God, but because he hath first loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins.
DBY Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son a propitiation for our sins.
GNV Herein is that loue, not that we loued God, but that he loued vs, and sent his Sonne to be a reconciliation for our sinnes.
LSB In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Verse 11
KJV Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
ASV Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
WEB Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.
YLT Beloved, if thus did God love us, we also ought one another to love;
DRB My dearest, if God hath so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
DBY Beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
GNV Beloued, if God so loued vs, we ought also to loue one another.
LSB Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Verse 12
KJV No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
ASV No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us:
WEB No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.
YLT God no one hath ever seen; if we may love one another, God in us doth remain, and His love is having been perfected in us;
DRB No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us: and his charity is perfected in us.
DBY No one has seen God at any time: if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
GNV No man hath seene God at any time. If we loue one another, God dwelleth in vs, and his loue is perfect in vs.
LSB No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
Verse 13
KJV Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
ASV hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
WEB By this we know that we remain in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
YLT in this we know that in Him we do remain, and He in us, because of His Spirit He hath given us.
DRB In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit.
DBY Hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, that he has given to us of his Spirit.
GNV Hereby know we, that we dwell in him, and he in vs: because he hath giuen vs of his Spirit.
LSB By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
Verse 14
KJV And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
ASV And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.
WEB We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.
YLT And we--we have seen and do testify, that the Father hath sent the Son--Saviour of the world;
DRB And we have seen and do testify that the Father hath sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.
DBY And *we* have seen, and testify, that the Father has sent the Son [as] Saviour of the world.
GNV And we haue seene, and doe testifie, that the Father sent that Sonne to be ye Sauiour of the world.
LSB We have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
Verse 15
KJV Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
ASV Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.
WEB Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.
YLT whoever may confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God in him doth remain, and he in God;
DRB Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.
DBY Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
GNV Whosoeuer confesseth that Iesus is the Sone of God, in him dwelleth God, and he in God.
LSB Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
Verse 16
KJV And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
ASV And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him.
WEB We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
YLT and we--we have known and believed the love, that God hath in us; God is love, and he who is remaining in the love, in God he doth remain, and God in him.
DRB And we have known and have believed the charity which God hath to us. God is charity: and he that abideth in charity abideth in God, and God in him.
DBY And *we* have known and have believed the love which God has to us. God is love, and he that abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
GNV And we haue knowen, and beleeued ye loue that God hath in vs. God is loue, and he that dwelleth in loue, dwelleth in God, and God in him.
LSB And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has in us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Verse 17
KJV Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
ASV Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.
WEB In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.
YLT In this made perfect hath been the love with us, that boldness we may have in the day of the judgment, because even as He is, we--we also are in this world;
DRB In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in this world.
DBY Herein has love been perfected with us that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that even as *he* is, *we* also are in this world.
GNV Herein is that loue perfect in vs, that we should haue boldnes in the day of iudgement: for as he is, euen so are we in this world.
LSB By this, love has been perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as He is, so also are we in this world.
Verse 18
KJV There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
ASV There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.
WEB There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
YLT fear is not in the love, but the perfect love doth cast out the fear, because the fear hath punishment, and he who is fearing hath not been made perfect in the love;
DRB Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath sin. And he that feareth is not perfected in charity.
DBY There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has torment, and he that fears has not been made perfect in love.
GNV There is no feare in loue, but perfect loue casteth out feare: for feare hath painefulnesse: and he that feareth, is not perfect in loue.
LSB There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
Verse 19
KJV We love him, because he first loved us.
ASV We love, because he first loved us.
WEB We love him, because he first loved us.
YLT we--we love him, because He--He first loved us;
DRB Let us therefore love God: because God first hath loved us.
DBY *We* love because *he* has first loved us.
GNV We loue him, because he loued vs first.
LSB We love, because He first loved us.
Verse 20
KJV If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
ASV If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.
WEB If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
YLT if any one may say--`I love God,' and his brother he may hate, a liar he is; for he who is not loving his brother whom he hath seen, God--whom he hath not seen--how is he able to love?
DRB If any man say: I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he seeth, how can he love God whom he seeth not?
DBY If any one say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
GNV If any man say, I loue God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for how can he that loueth not his brother whom he hath seene, loue God whom he hath not seene?
LSB If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Verse 21
KJV And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
ASV And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.
WEB This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.
YLT and this <FI>is<Fi> the command we have from Him, that he who is loving God, may also love his brother.
DRB And this commandment we have from God, that he who loveth God love also his brother.
DBY And this commandment have we from him, That he that loves God love also his brother.
GNV And this commandement haue we of him, that he that loueth God, should loue his brother also.
LSB And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.