See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God. Anyone who does not love a brother or sister remains in death. We should love not in word only but in deed and truth.
1 Behold , what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us , that we should be called the sons of God : therefore the world knoweth us not , because it knew him not .
2 Beloved , now are we the sons of God , and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know that , when he shall appear , we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is .
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself , even as he is pure .
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law : for sin is the transgression of the law .
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins ; and in him is no sin .
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not : whosoever sinneth hath not seen him , neither known him .
7 Little children , let no man deceive you : he that doeth righteousness is righteous , even as he is righteous .
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil ; for the devil sinneth from the beginning . For this purpose the Son of God was manifested , that he might destroy the works of the devil .
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin ; for his seed remaineth in him : and he cannot sin , because he is born of God .
10 In this the children of God are manifest , and the children of the devil : whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God , neither he that loveth not his brother .
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning , that we should love one another .
12 Not as Cain , who was of that wicked one , and slew his brother . And wherefore slew he him ? Because his own works were evil , and his brother's righteous .
13 Marvel not , my brethren , if the world hate you .
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life , because we love the brethren . He that loveth not his brother abideth in death .
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer : and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him .
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us : and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren .
17 But whoso hath this world's good , and seeth his brother have need , and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him , how dwelleth the love of God in him ?
18 My little children , let us not love in word , neither in tongue ; but in deed and in truth .
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth , and shall assure our hearts before him .
20 For if our heart condemn us , God is greater than our heart , and knoweth all things .
21 Beloved , if our heart condemn us not , then have we confidence toward God .
22 And whatsoever we ask , we receive of him , because we keep his commandments , and do those things that are pleasing in his sight .
23 And this is his commandment , That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ , and love one another , as he gave us commandment .
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him , and he in him . And hereby we know that he abideth in us , by the Spirit which he hath given us .