¹¹ For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, ^(A)that we should love one another,

⁵ And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: ^(A)that we love one another.

^12 (A)This is My ^(B)commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

²¹ And ^(A)this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

^34 (A)A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ^35 (B)By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Knowing God Through Love^(A)

^7 (B)Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who ^(C)loves is born of God and knows God.

Fellowship with Him and One Another

^5 (A)This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that ^(B)God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

^7 [a]Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had ^(A)from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard ^[b]from the beginning. ⁸ Again, ^(B)a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, ^(C)because the darkness is passing away, and ^(D)the true light is already shining.

⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ^(A)“love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Called to Blessing

⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be ^[a]courteous;