From the very beginning the Word was with God.

In the beginning, when God created the universe,

"The LORD created me first of all, the first of his works, long ago.

I was born before the oceans, when there were no springs of water.

before God made the earth and its fields or even the first handful of soil.

when he placed the clouds in the sky, when he opened the springs of the ocean

I was beside him like an architect, I was his daily source of joy, always happy in his presence---

and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages,

Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place.

He also said, "You, Lord, in the beginning created the earth, and with your own hands you made the heavens.

There is no record of Melchizedek's father or mother or of any of his ancestors; no record of his birth or of his death. He is like the Son of God; he remains a priest forever.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

and John has told all that he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ.

"I am the first and the last," says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

It said, "Write down what you see, and send the book to the churches in these seven cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: "This is the message from the one who is the first and the last, who died and lived again.

And he said, "It is done! I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end. To anyone who is thirsty I will give the right to drink from the spring of the water of life without paying for it.

I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son.

We write to you about the Word of life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it.

When this life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us.

There are three witnesses:

The robe he wore was covered with blood. His name is "The Word of God."

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

I did come from the Father, and I came into the world; and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."

Father! Give me glory in your presence now, the same glory I had with you before the world was made.

"The LORD created me first of all, the first of his works, long ago.

I was born before the oceans, when there were no springs of water.

before God made the earth and its fields or even the first handful of soil.

when he placed the clouds in the sky, when he opened the springs of the ocean

I was beside him like an architect, I was his daily source of joy, always happy in his presence---

When this life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us.

The Father and I are one."

Jesus said to them, "I have done many good deeds in your presence which the Father gave me to do; for which one of these do you want to stone me?"

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

The kingdom that God has given you will last forever and ever. You rule over your people with justice;

Well then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him 'Immanuel.'

A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, "Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," "Prince of Peace."

Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news! Call out with a loud voice, Zion; announce the good news! Speak out and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah that their God is coming!

He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.

"A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel" (which means, "God is with us").

they are descended from the famous Hebrew ancestors; and Christ, as a human being, belongs to their race. May God, who rules over all, be praised forever! Amen.

He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God.

No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion: He appeared in human form, was shown to be right by the Spirit, and was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, and was taken up to heaven.

as we wait for the blessed Day we hope for, when the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will appear.

About the Son, however, God said: "Your kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever! You rule over your people with justice.

He also said, "You, Lord, in the beginning created the earth, and with your own hands you made the heavens.

You will fold them up like a coat, and they will be changed like clothes. But you are always the same, and your life never ends."

From Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ--- To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have been given a faith as precious as ours:

There are three witnesses:

We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we know the true God. We live in union with the true God---in union with his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and this is eternal life.