16 So (A)we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. (B)God is love, and (C)whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this (D)is love perfected with us, so that (E)we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because (F)as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but (G)perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not (H)been perfected in love. 19 (I)We love because he first loved us. 20 (J)If anyone says, “I love God,” and (K)hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God (L)whom he has not seen. 21 And (M)this commandment we have from him: (N)whoever loves God must also love his brother.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 4:20 Some manuscripts how can he

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.(A) Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.(B) 17 This is how love is made complete(C) among us so that we will have confidence(D) on the day of judgment:(E) In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,(F) 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.(G) 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister(H) is a liar.(I) For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,(J) cannot love God, whom they have not seen.(K) 21 And he has given us this command:(L) Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.(M)

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