14 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son(A) as the world’s Savior. 15 Whoever confesses[a](B) that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

17 In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment,(C) for we are as He is in this world.(D) 18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear,(E) because fear involves punishment.[b] So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 4:15 Or acknowledges
  2. 1 John 4:18 Or fear has its own punishment or torment

14 And we have seen and testify(A) that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.(B) 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,(C) God lives in them and they in God.(D) 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.(E) Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.(F) 17 This is how love is made complete(G) among us so that we will have confidence(H) on the day of judgment:(I) In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,(J) because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

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