In the beginning, before morning had a name,

The Word was with God, and the Word was the same.

Light entered darkness; darkness could not win.

John wrote the signs so belief could begin.

A witness by Jordan said, "Look to the Lamb."

Fishermen followed and learned who he was.

Water blushed wine when the vessels were filled;

A temple was shaken, a promise concealed.

Question by question, sign after sign,

He opened the heart and divided the mind.

These are written that the world might believe,

That the Son is the Christ and the lost may receive

Life in his name, light no darkness can drown;

The Word came among us, laid glory down.

These are written, let the testimony ring:

Death saw the Lamb, but the grave saw the King.

A ruler came searching beneath cover of night;

A woman found water in noon's burning light.

A son rose from fever, a cripple stood tall;

Five loaves became plenty, with fragments for all.

He spoke, and the hungry found bread for the soul.

He called through the storm, and the frightened were whole.

The blind man saw daylight and would not deny;

The Shepherd stood faithful while hired hands would fly.

At Bethany's grave, where the mourners had cried,

One voice split the silence, and death stepped aside.

These are written that the world might believe,

That the Son is the Christ and the lost may receive

Life in his name, light no darkness can drown;

The Word came among us, laid glory down.

These are written, let the testimony ring:

Death saw the Lamb, but the grave saw the King.

A towel, a basin, a table at night;

A branch in the vine and a promise of light.

A prayer for the faithful, a garden, a flame,

A servant denied him, yet he bore no shame.

A courtroom chose Caesar, a cross scarred the sky;

The Lamb said, "It is finished," then bowed down to die.

Stone moved.

Linen lay.

Mary heard her name at break of day.

Locked doors opened to a word of peace;

Wounds became witness that doubt could cease.

These are written that the world might believe,

That the Son is the Christ and the dead may receive

Life in his name, hope no grave can confine;

The Light still is shining, the Life still divine.

These are written, from the first to the end:

The Word made flesh, the risen Lord and Friend.

Beside the sea, the question came again:

Love must feed the sheep and follow to the end.

So many other works no volume could contain,

But these are written: believe, and live in his name.