1 Johani 1
1 Izvo zvakanga zviripo kubva pakutanga, izvo zvatakanzwa, zvatakaona nameso edu, zvatakatarira uye zvatakabata namaoko, izvozvi ndizvo zvatinoparidza zveShoko roupenyu.
[I, John, am writing to you about] the one who existed before [there was anything else]. He is the one whom we [apostles] listened to [as he taught us!] We saw him! We ourselves looked at him and touched him! [He is the one who taught us] the message that [enables people to have eternal] life (OR, live [spiritually]).
2 Upenyu hwakaonekwa; takahuona uye tikapupura nezvahwo, uye tinoparidza kwamuri upenyu husingaperi, hwakanga huri kuna Baba uye hwakaratidzwa kwatiri. (aiōnios g166)
Because he came here [to the earth] and we have seen him, we proclaim to you clearly that the one whom we have seen is the [one who] has always lived. He was [previously] with his Father in heaven, but he came to live among us. (aiōnios g166)
3 Tinoparidza kwamuri zvatakaona nezvatakanzwa, kuti nemiwo mugowadzana nesu. Uye tinowadzana naBaba noMwanakomana wavo, Jesu Kristu.
We proclaim to you the [message about Jesus], the one whom we saw and heard, in order that you may have a close relationship with us. The ones whom we have a close relationship with are God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
4 Tiri kunyora izvi kuti mufaro wedu uzadziswe.
I am writing to you about these things so that [you (will be convinced/believe]) [that they are true, and as a] result we may be completely joyful.
5 Iyi ndiyo mharidzo yatakanzwa kwaari uye yatinoparidza kwamuri kuti: Mwari ndiye chiedza; maari hamuna rima zvachose.
The message that we heard from Christ and proclaim to you is this: God is [pure in every way. He never sins. He is like] [MET] a [brilliant] light that has no darkness at all.
6 Kana tichiti tinowadzana naye asi tichifamba murima, tinoreva nhema uye hatigari muchokwadi.
If we claim to have a close relationship with [God], but [we conduct our lives in an impure manner, that is like] living [MET] in [evil] darkness. We are lying. We are not conducting our lives according to [God’s] true message.
7 Asi kana tichifamba muchiedza, saiye ari muchiedza, tinowadzana nomumwe nomumwe wedu, uye ropa raJesu, Mwanakomana wake, rinotinatsa pazvivi zvose.
But living [in a pure manner], as God is [living in a pure manner] [MET] [in every way, is like living] in God’s light. If we do that, we have a close relationship with each other. Not only that, but [God] (acquits us/removes [the guilt]) [of] all our sins because [he accepts] what his Son Jesus did for us [when his] blood [flowed from his body when he died. So we should conduct our lives] ([in a manner according to what God says is pure]).
8 Kana tichiti hatina chivi, tinozvinyengera uye chokwadi hachizi matiri.
Those who say they never behave sinfully are deceiving themselves, and refusing [to accept as] true [what God says about them].
9 Kana tichireurura zvivi zvedu, iye akatendeka uye akarurama, uye achatikanganwira zvivi zvedu agotinatsa pakusarurama kwose.
But God will do what he says that he will do, and what he does is [always] right. So, if we confess to him that we [have behaved] sinfully, he will forgive [us for] our sins and (will free us from/remove) [the guilt of] all our sins. [Because of that], [we should confess to him that we have behaved sinfully].
10 Kana tichiti hatina kutadza, tinomuita murevi wenhema uye shoko rake harizi matiri.
[Because God says that everyone has sinned], those who say/claim that they have never behaved sinfully talk [as though] God lies! They reject what God says [about us]!
