1. Behold, what manner of love the Father has given us, that we should be called the children of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know him.
2. Beloved, 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.
3. And every one that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
4. Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5. And you know that he appeared to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6. Whoever dwells in him does not sin: whoever sins has not seen him, neither known him.
7. Little children, let no one deceive you: he who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8. He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9. Whoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10. In this the children of God are made known, and the children of the devil: whoever does not do righteousness is not of God, neither he that does not love his brother.
11. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12. Not like Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
13. Do not be surprised, my brethren, if the world hates you.
14. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother remains in death.
15. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life dwelling in him.
16. By this we perceive 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 he who has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his feelings of compassion from him, how does the love of God dwell in him?
18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
21. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, then have we confidence toward God.
22. And whatever we ask, we receive from 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 in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24. And he who keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.