1Behold what love the father hath shewed on us, that we should be called the sons of God. For this cause the world knoweth you not because it knoweth not him. 2Dearly beloved, now are we the sons of God, and yet it hath not appear what we shall be. But we know that when it shall appear, we shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him, purgeth himself, even as he is pure.

4Whosoever committeth sin, committeth unrighteousness also, for sin is unrighteousness. 5And ye know that he appeared to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. 6As many as bide in him, sin not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither hath known him. 7Babes let no man deceive you, He that doth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth since the beginning. For this purpose appeared the son of God, to loose the works of the devil. 9Whosoever is born of God, sinneth not: for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10In this are the children of God known, and the children of the devil. Whosoever doth not righteousness, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11For this is the tidings, that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another: 12not as Cain which was of the wicked and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? because his own works were evil, and his brother's good.

13Marvel not my brethren if the world hate you. 14We know that we are translated from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. 15Whosoever hateth his brother, is a man slayer. And ye know that no man slayer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16Hereby perceive we love: that he gave his life for us: And we ought also to give our lives for the brethren. 17Whosoever hath this world's goods and seeth his brother in necessity, and shutteth up his compassion from him: how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My babes, let us not love in word, neither in tongue: but with deed, and in verity: 19And thereby we know that we are of the verity, and will before him put our hearts out of doubt: 20For (if our hearts condemn us) God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things. 21Tenderly beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have we trust to God ward: 22and whatsoever we ask, we shall receive of him: because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight.

23And this is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his son Iesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave commandment. 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that there abideth in us of the spirit which he gave us.