“I write vnto you, fathers, because yee haue knowen him that is from the beginning. I write vnto you, young men, because you haue ouercome the wicked one. I write vnto you, little children, because yee haue knowen the Father.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
- King James Version
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
I write unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little children, because ye know the Father.
- American Standard Version (1901)
I am writing to you, fathers, because you have knowledge of him who was from the first. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the Evil One. I have sent a letter to you, children, because you have knowledge of the Father.
- Basic English Bible
I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked [one]. I write to you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
- Darby Bible
I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
- Webster's Bible
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has existed from the very beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the Evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
- Weymouth Bible
I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, little children, because you know the Father.
- World English Bible
Fadris, Y write to you, for ye han knowun hym, that is fro the bigynnyng. Yonge men, Y write to you, for ye han ouercomun the wickid.
- Wycliffe Bible
I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him who [is] from the beginning; I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil. I write to you, little youths, because ye have known the Father:
- Youngs Literal Bible
Wesley's Notes for 1 John 2:13
2:13 The address to spiritual fathers, young men, and little children is first proposed in this verse, wherein he says, I write to you, fathers: I write to you, young men: I write to you, little children: and then enlarged upon; in doing which he says, I have written to you, fathers, #1Jo 2:14|. I have written to you, young men, #1Jo 2:14 |- 17. I have written to you, little children, #1Jo 2:18 |- 27. Having finished his address to each, he returns to all together, whom he again terms, (as #1Jo 2:12|,) beloved children. Fathers, ye have known him that is from the beginning - We have known the eternal God, in a manner wherein no other, even true believers, know him. Young men, ye have overcome the wicked one - In many battles, by the power of faith. Little children, ye have known the Father - As your Father, though ye have not yet overcome, by the Spirit witnessing with your Spirit, that ye are the children of God.
People's Bible Notes for 1 John 2:13
1Jo 2:13 Fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. These father have not known Christ in the flesh, but have walked with him long and realized his presence. Young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. The special excellence of these Christian young men is that they have overcome the temptations of the evil one. Little children, because ye have known the Father. These have known the Father, and can say, "Our Father who art in heaven" (Mt 6:9 Lu 11:2).