An Early Christian Hymn

According to Raymond E. Brown, the first 18 verses of John's Gospel represent an early Christian hymn. Here is that hymn:

First Strophe
In the beginning was the Word;
the Word was in God's presence,
and the Word was God.
He was present with God in the beginning.

Second Strophe
Through him all things came into being,
and apart from him not a thing came to be.
That which had come to be in him was life,
and his life was the light of men.
The light shines on in the darkness,
for the darkness did not overcome it.

Third Strophe
He was in the world,
and the world was made by him;
yet the world did not recognise him.
To his own he came;
yet his own people did not accept him.
But all those who did accept him
he empowered to become God's children.

Fourth Strophe
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us.
And we have seen his glory,
the glory of an only Son coming from the Father,
filled with enduring love

And of his fullness
we have had a share--
love in place of love.

They don't write them like they used to, eh?