And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we (A)keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments (B)is a liar, and (C)the truth is not in him, but whoever (D)keeps his word, in him truly (E)the love of God is perfected. (F)By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he (G)abides in him (H)ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

The New Commandment

Beloved, I am writing you (I)no new commandment, but (J)an old commandment (K)that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is (L)a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because[a] (M)the darkness is passing away and (N)the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and (O)hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no (P)cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and (Q)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12 I am writing to you, little children,
    because (R)your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know (S)him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because (T)you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
    because (U)you know the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers,
    because you know (V)him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because (W)you are strong,
    and the word of God abides in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:8 Or that
  2. 1 John 2:10 Or it

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