Parallel Verses
New Heart English Bible
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
New American Standard Bible
King James Version
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Holman Bible
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits
International Standard Version
Dear friends, stop believing every spirit. Instead, test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
A Conservative Version
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but examine the spirits, whether they are of God, because many FALSE prophets have gone out into the world.
American Standard Version
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Amplified
Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.
An Understandable Version
Loved ones, do not believe [the message of] every spirit [i.e., every person claiming to be a teacher], but test the spirits [i.e., require proof that they and their message are genuine] to see whether they represent God [or not], because many false prophets have begun circulating throughout the world.
Anderson New Testament
Beloved, believe not every spirit; but prove the spirits, whether they are from God: for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Bible in Basic English
My loved ones, do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world.
Common New Testament
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Daniel Mace New Testament
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Darby Translation
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, if they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Emphatic Diaglott Bible
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be from God; because many false prophets are gone forth into the world.
Godbey New Testament
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits if they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Goodspeed New Testament
Dear friends, do not believe every inspired utterance, but test the utterances to see whether they come from God, for many false prophets have come out into the world.
John Wesley New Testament
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Julia Smith Translation
Dearly beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they are of God: for many false prophets have come out into the world.
King James 2000
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits [to determine] if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Modern King James verseion
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Ye beloved, believe not every spirit: but prove the spirits whether they be of God, or not: for many false prophets are gone out in to the world.
Moffatt New Testament
Do not believe every spirit, beloved, but test the spirits to see if they come from God; for many false prophets have emerged in the world.
Montgomery New Testament
Do not believe every spirit, beloved, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets are gone out into the world.
NET Bible
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Noyes New Testament
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.
Sawyer New Testament
BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
The Emphasized Bible
Beloved! not in every spirit, believe ye, but test the spirits, whether they are, of God; because, many false prophets, have gone out into the world.
Thomas Haweis New Testament
BELOVED, believe not every pretender to inspiration, but bring these spirits to the trial whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone forth into the world.
Twentieth Century New Testament
Dear friends, do not trust every inspiration, but test each inspiration, to see whether it proceeds from God; because many false Prophets have gone out into the world.
Webster
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Weymouth New Testament
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but put the spirits to the test to see whether they are from God; for many false teachers have gone out into the world.
Williams New Testament
Dearly beloved, stop believing every so-called spiritual utterance, but keep testing them to see whether they come from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
World English Bible
Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Worrell New Testament
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.
Worsley New Testament
Beloved, believe not every Spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God: for many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Youngs Literal Translation
Beloved, every spirit believe not, but prove the spirits, if of God they are, because many false prophets have gone forth to the world;
Themes
AntiChrist » The coming of antiChrist
AntiChrist » Who is an antiChrist
false Doctrines » Try, by scripture
Hearing » Why some do not hear the word of God
Hearing » Who does not hear the lord’s disciples
Hearing » Who hears the lord’s disciples
False prophets » Mode of trying and detecting
Truth » Who the truth is not in
Interlinear
Pisteuo
me
Pas
Pneuma
Pneuma
Exerchomai
References
Word Count of 38 Translations in 1 John 4:1
Prayers for 1 John 4:1
Verse Info
Context Readings
How To Recognize The Spirit Of God
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
Cross References
2 Peter 2:1
But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.
1 John 2:18
Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
but test all things; hold firmly that which is good.
Luke 12:57
Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
1 Corinthians 12:10
and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:29
Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.
1 Timothy 4:1
But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 John 1:7
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Revelation 2:2
"I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
If there arise in the midst of you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give you a sign or a wonder,
Proverbs 14:15
A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?
Jeremiah 29:8-9
For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Do not let your prophets who are in the midst of you, and your diviners, deceive you; neither listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.
Matthew 7:15-16
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
Matthew 24:4-5
Jesus answered them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray.
Matthew 24:23-26
"Then if any man tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or, 'There,' do not believe it.
Mark 13:21
Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah.' or, 'Look, there.' do not believe it.
Luke 21:8
He said, "Watch out that you do not get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Therefore do not follow them.
Acts 20:29
For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Romans 16:18-19
For those who are such do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.