⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^(A) into the world that we might live through him.^{(B) 10} This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us^(C) and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.^{(D) 11} Dear friends,^(E) since God so loved us,^(F) we also ought to love one another.^(G)

⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^(A) into the world that we might live through him.^{(B) 10} This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us^(C) and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.^{(D) 11} Dear friends,^(E) since God so loved us,^(F) we also ought to love one another.^(G)

¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,^(A) God lives in them and they in God.^{(B) 16} And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.^(C) Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.^{(D) 17} This is how love is made complete^(E) among us so that we will have confidence^(F) on the day of judgment:^(G) In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,^(H) 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.^(I)