1Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us , that we should be called children of God ; and such we are . For this cause the world knoweth us not , because it knew him not . 2Beloved, now are we children of God , and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be . We know that , if he shall be manifested , we shall be like him ; for we shall see him even as he is . 3And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself , even as he is pure.
Sin and Righteousness
4Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not : whosoever sinneth hath not seen him , neither knoweth him . 7My little children , let no man lead you astray : he that doeth righteousness is righteous , even as he is righteous : 8he that doeth sin is of the devil ; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested , that he might destroy the works of the devil . 9Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him : and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God . 10In 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.
The Command to Love One Another
11For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another : 12not as Cain was of the evil one , and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him ? Because his works were evil , and his brother’s righteous . 13Marvel not , brethren , if the world hateth you . 14We know that we have passed out of death into life , because we love the brethren . He that loveth not abideth in death . 15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him .
Confidence Before God
16Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us : and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren . 17But whoso hath the world ’ s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need , and shutteth up his compassion from him , how doth the love of God abide in him ? 18My little children , let us not love in word , neither with the tongue ; but in deed and truth. 19Hereby shall we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before him : 20because if our heart condemn us , God is greater than our heart , and knoweth all things . 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not , we have boldness toward God ; 22and whatsoever we ask we receive of him , because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight . 23And this is his commandment , that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ , and love one another , even as he gave us commandment . 24And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him , and he in him . And hereby we know that he abideth in us , by the Spirit which he gave us .