¹⁴ If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers,^[a] it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.

² We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.

³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer,^[a] that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? ²¹ And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.^[b]

⁹ But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other,^[a] for God himself has taught you to love one another.

²⁴ “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

²² You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.^[a] Love each other deeply with all your heart.^[b]

Concluding Words

13 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.^[a]

¹² This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,^[a] you were doing it to me!’