¹⁷ But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and ^[a]fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?

¹⁸ Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).

¹⁹ By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence,