In the beginning was the Word;
the Word was in God's presence,
and the Word was God.
He was present to God in the beginning.
Through him all things came into being,
and apart from him nothing came to be.
Whatever came to be in him, found life,
life for the light of men.
The light shines on in darkness,
a darkness that did not overcome it.
There was a man named John sent by God, who came as a witness to testify to the light, so that through him all men might believe but only to testify to the light, for he himself was not the light. The real light which gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world
and through him the world was made,
yet the world did not know who he was.
To his own he came,
yet his own did not accept him.
Any who did accept him
he empowered to become children of God.
These are they who believe in his name—who were begotten not by blood, nor by carnal desire, nor by man's willing it, but by God.
The Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we have seen his glory:
the glory of an only Son coming from the Father,
filled with enduring love.
John testified to him by proclaiming: "This is he of whom I said, 'The one who comes after me ranks ahead of me, for he was before me.'"
Of his fullness
we have all had a share—
love following upon love.
For while the law was given through Moses, this enduring love came through Jesus Christ.