1 John 4:17-5:21

New International Version

¹⁷ This is how love is made complete^(A) among us so that we will have confidence^(B) on the day of judgment:^(C) In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,^(D) because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.^{(E) 20} Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister^(F) is a liar.^(G) For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,^(H) cannot love God, whom they have not seen.^{(I) 21} And he has given us this command:^(J) Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.^(K)

Faith in the Incarnate Son of God

5 Everyone who believes^(L) that Jesus is the Christ^(M) is born of God,^(N) and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.^{(O) 2} This is how we know^(P) that we love the children of God:^(Q) by loving God and carrying out his commands. ³ In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.^(R) And his commands are not burdensome,^{(S) 4} for everyone born of God^(T) overcomes^(U) the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.^(V)

⁶ This is the one who came by water and blood^(W)—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.^{(X) 7} For there are three^(Y) that testify: ⁸ the^[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. ⁹ We accept human testimony,^(Z) but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God,^(AA) which he has given about his Son. ¹⁰ Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony.^(AB) Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar,^(AC) because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. ¹¹ And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life,^(AD) and this life is in his Son.^{(AE) 12} Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.^(AF)

Concluding Affirmations

¹³ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God^(AG) so that you may know that you have eternal life.^{(AH) 14} This is the confidence^(AI) we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.^{(AJ) 15} And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know^(AK) that we have what we asked of him.^(AL)

¹⁶ If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life.^(AM) I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death.^(AN) I am not saying that you should pray about that.^{(AO) 17} All wrongdoing is sin,^(AP) and there is sin that does not lead to death.^(AQ)

¹⁸ We know that anyone born of God^(AR) does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one^(AS) cannot harm them.^{(AT) 19} We know that we are children of God,^(AU) and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.^{(AV) 20} We know also that the Son of God has come^(AW) and has given us understanding,^(AX) so that we may know him who is true.^(AY) And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.^(AZ)

²¹ Dear children,^(BA) keep yourselves from idols.^(BB)