19 They left us, but they were never really with us. If they had been, they would have stuck it out with us, loyal to the end. In leaving, they showed their true colors, showed they never did belong.

20-21 But you belong. The Holy One anointed you, and you all know it. I haven’t been writing this to tell you something you don’t know, but to confirm the truth you do know, and to remind you that the truth doesn’t breed lies.

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19 They went out from us,(A) but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.(B)

20 But you have an anointing(C) from the Holy One,(D) and all of you know the truth.[a](E) 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it(F) and because no lie comes from the truth.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:20 Some manuscripts and you know all things