1 John 4:1 - Catholic Public Domain Version

¹ Most beloved, do not be willing to believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹ BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Common English Bible

¹ Dear friends, don’t believe every spirit. Test the spirits to see if they are from God because many false prophets have gone into the world.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹ Dearly beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

English Standard Version 2016

¹ Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 Cross References

1 Kings 13:18

And he said to him: "I, too, am a prophet like you. And an Angel spoke to me, by the word of the Lord, saying, 'Lead him back with you to your house, so that he may eat bread, and drink water.' " And so he deceived him.

Proverbs 14:15

The innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in order.

Jeremiah 14:14

And the Lord said to me: "The prophets prophesy falsely in my name. I did not send them, and I did not instruct them, and I have not spoken to them. They prophesy to you a lying vision, and a divination, and a fraud, and a seduction from their own heart.

Jeremiah 23:16

Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Do not choose to listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you and deceive you. They speak a vision from their own heart, and not from the mouth of the Lord.

Jeremiah 5:31

The prophets have prophesied lies, and the priests have applauded with their hands, and my people have loved these things. So then, what shall be done at the very end?"

Mark 13:21

And then, if anyone will have said to you: 'Behold, here is the Christ. Behold, in that place.' Do not believe it.

Luke 12:57

And why do you not, even among yourselves, judge what is just?

Luke 21:8

And he said: "Be cautious, lest you be seduced. For many will come in my name, saying: 'For I am he,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' And so, do not choose to go after them.

Acts 17:11

But these were more noble than those who were at Thessalonica. They received the Word with all enthusiasm, daily examining the Scriptures to see if these things were so.

Acts 20:29

I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock.

1 Corinthians 12:10

to another, miraculous works; to another, prophecy; to another, the discernment of spirits; to another, different kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of words.

1 Corinthians 14:29

And let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Do not spurn prophecies.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

But test all things. Hold on to whatever is good.

2 Thessalonians 2:2

that you not be readily disturbed or terrified in your minds, by any spirit, or word, or epistle, supposedly sent from us, claiming that the day of the Lord is close by.

1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit has clearly said that, in the end times, some persons will depart from the faith, paying attention to spirits of error and the doctrines of devils,

2 Timothy 3:13

But evil men and deceivers will advance in evil, erring and sending into error.

2 Peter 2:1

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be among you lying teachers, who will introduce divisions of perdition, and they will deny him who bought them, the Lord, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

1 John 2:18

Little sons, it is the last hour. And, as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have arrived. By this, we know that it is the last hour.

1 John 2:7

Most beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but the old commandment, which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word, which you have heard.

2 John 1:7

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has arrived in the flesh. Such a one as this is a deceiver and an antichrist.

3 John 1:11

Most beloved, do not be willing to imitate what is evil; instead imitate what is good. Whoever does good is of God. Whoever does evil has not seen God.

Revelation 2:2

I know your works, and your hardship and patient endurance, and that you cannot stand those who are evil. And so, you have tested those who declare themselves to be Apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars.