1 John 5:16 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁶ If anyone [of you] observes his brother [or sister] sinning [in a way that would not lead] to [spiritual] death, he should ask [God, in prayer, to help that person], and God will give him [spiritual] life, [that is], to such ones, provided their sin is not leading to [spiritual] death. There is such a sin that leads to [spiritual] death. [See Heb. 6:4-6; I Tim. 5:6; Heb. 10:26-27; II Pet. 2:20- 22]. I am not suggesting that you should ask [God, in prayer] about such a situation.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁶ If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁶ If anyone sees his brother [believer] committing a sin that does not [lead to] death (the extinguishing of life), he will pray and [God] will give him life [yes, He will grant life to all those whose sin is not one leading to death]. There is a sin [that leads] to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁶ If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.

Common English Bible

¹⁶ If anyone sees a brother or sister committing a sin that does not result in death, they should pray, and God will give life to them—that is, to those who commit sins that don’t result in death. There is a sin that results in death—I’m not saying that you should pray about that.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁶ Anyone who realizes that his brother has sinned, with a sin that is not unto death, let him pray, and life shall be given to him who has sinned not unto death. There is a sin which is unto death. I am not saying that anyone should ask on behalf of that sin.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹⁶ He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask, and life shall be given to him, who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death: for that I say not that any man ask.

1 John 5:16 Cross References

Luke 12:10

And every person who speaks an [abusive] word against the Son of man will be forgiven of it, but the person who speaks abusive words against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven of it.

John 17:9

I am praying for them [i.e., the apostles]; I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you gave me, who belong to you.

2 Timothy 4:14

Alexander the metal worker did me much harm; the Lord will repay him for what he did.

1 John 5:17

All wrongdoing is sinful, and [yet] there is a situation where [a person’s] sin does not lead [him] to [spiritual] death.