10 This is how God’s children—and the Devil’s children—are made evident.

The Command to Love

Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother.(A) 11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another, 12 unlike Cain,(B) who was of the evil one(C) and murdered[a] his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates(D) you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.(E) 15 Everyone who hates his brother(F) is a murderer,(G) and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:12 Or slaughtered

10 This is how we know who the children of God(A) are and who the children of the devil(B) are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love(C) their brother and sister.(D)

More on Love and Hatred

11 For this is the message you heard(E) from the beginning:(F) We should love one another.(G) 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one(H) and murdered his brother.(I) And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.(J) 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[a] if the world hates you.(K) 14 We know that we have passed from death to life,(L) because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.(M) 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister(N) is a murderer,(O) and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:13 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 16.