John's translation into modern English:

The prologue.

    From the very beginning the Word has been in existence, and the Word has always been the underlying principle. The Word has always been the expression of God, and God has always been the Word. This underlying principle has always been an expression of God, and it is through this principle that everything has been created. Without this underlying principle there can be no creation, and nothing that has been created could ever have come into existence. This principle contains life, and this light has always been the light for all human beings. This light is now shining in the darkness, and darkness has never grasped it.  

     A man came into existence - his name was John – and he was sent from God. This person came into the world to give his testimony to the light, so that everyone might come to faith through him. He was not himself the light, but his purpose was to give his testimony about the light. This light, the true light, was now present; it was the light that illuminates the whole of humanity, and it was coming into the world. It was present in the world, and the world came into existence through it, yet the world did not recognize it. It came into the world, but its own world refused to accept it. Whenever men and women did accept it, it gave them the opportunity to become God’s children. This was for those who had faith in its name, people who had been born to it, not through any blood relationship, physical appetite or masculine desire, but through God. The Word took human form and took up residence with us. We have seen for ourselves His glory, glory as it were of the single Being that is one with the Father, full of grace and truth.