1Behold,
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.
2Beloved, 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.
3And every man that hath this
hope in him purifieth himself, even
as he is pure.
4Whosoever committeth sin
transgresseth also the law: for sin
is the transgression of the law.
5And ye know that he was
manifested to take away our sins;
and in him is no sin.
6Whosoever abideth in him
sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath
not seen him, neither known him.
7Little children, let no man
deceive you: he that doeth
righteousness is righteous, even as
he is righteous.
8He 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.
9Whosoever is born of God
doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth 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 doeth not
righteousness is not of God, neither
he that loveth not his brother.
11For this is the message
that ye heard from the beginning,
that we should love one another.
12Not 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.
13Marvel not, my brethren, if
the world hate you.
14We know that we have passed
from death unto life, because we
love the brethren. He that loveth
not his brother
abideth in death.
15Whosoever hateth his
brother is a murderer: and ye know
that no murderer hath eternal life
abiding in him.
16Hereby 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 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?
18My little children, let us
not love in word, neither in tongue;
but in deed and in truth.
19And hereby we know that we
are of the truth, and shall assure
our hearts before him.
20For if our heart condemn
us, God is greater than our heart,
and knoweth all things.
21Beloved, if our heart
condemn 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 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.
