(A)By this we know that we have come to (B)know Him, if we (C)keep His commandments. The one who says, “(D)I have come to (E)know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a (F)liar, and (G)the truth is not in him; but whoever (H)follows His word, in him the (I)love of God has truly been perfected. (J)By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says that he (K)remains in Him (L)ought, himself also, walk just as He walked.

(M)Beloved, I am (N)not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (O)from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. [a]On the other hand, I am writing (P)a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because (Q)the darkness is passing away and (R)the true Light is already shining. The one who says that he is in the Light and yet (S)hates his (T)brother or sister is in the darkness until now. 10 (U)The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling. 11 But the one who (V)hates his brother or sister is in the darkness and (W)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has (X)blinded his eyes.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:8 Lit Again

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

We know(A) that we have come to know him(B) if we keep his commands.(C) Whoever says, “I know him,”(D) but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.(E) But if anyone obeys his word,(F) love for God[a] is truly made complete in them.(G) This is how we know(H) we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.(I)

Dear friends,(J) I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.(K) This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command;(L) its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing(M) and the true light(N) is already shining.(O)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b](P) is still in the darkness.(Q) 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light,(R) and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.(S) 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister(T) is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.(U) They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.(V)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:5 Or word, God’s love
  2. 1 John 2:9 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15, 17; 4:20; 5:16.
  3. 1 John 2:10 The Greek word for brother and sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in 3:10; 4:20, 21.