1Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.

2Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it does 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.

3And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

God's Children and Sin

4Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

5And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

6Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins has not seen him, neither known him.

7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his nature remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.

Love One Another

11For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hates you.

14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death.

15Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

True Love of God Produces Actions

16By this 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.

17But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his heart of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?

18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

21Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23And 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.

24And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.