In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
- King James Version

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
- American Standard Version (1901)

What came into existence in him was life, and the life was the light of men.
- Basic English Bible

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
- Darby Bible

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
- Webster's Bible

In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of men.
- Weymouth Bible

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
- World English Bible

In hym was lijf, and the lijf was the liyt of men; and the liyt schyneth in derknessis,
- Wycliffe Bible

In him was life, and the life was the light of men,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for John 1:4

1:4 In him was life - He was the foundation of life to every living thing, as well as of being to all that is. And the life was the light of men - He who is essential life, and the giver of life to all that liveth, was also the light of men; the fountain of wisdom, holiness, and happiness, to man in his original state.

People's Bible Notes for John 1:4

Joh 1:4 In him was life. He had life in himself, and hence is a fountain from whence life flows to man. Death could not hold him, because in him is life, and he became "the Resurrection and the Life" (Joh 11:25) for us. The life was the light of men. The life that Christ bestows enlightens men. He is the Light of the World (Joh 8:12 9:5). His light chases away the darkness of the earth, though, when John wrote, the darkness did not receive it. Men, in darkness, had eyes and saw not. All history demonstrates that Christ is the Light of the World; every redeemed soul recognizes the fact.