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1 John 3
Expanded Bible

We Are God’s Children

3 ·The Father has loved us so much [L See what sort of love the Father has given us…!] that we are called children of God. ·And we really are his children [L And we are!]. The reason ·the people in the world do [L the world does] not know us is that they have not known him. 2 ·Dear friends [L Beloved], now we are children of God, and ·we have not yet been shown [it has not yet been revealed] what we will be in the future. But we know that when ·Christ comes again [L he/it is revealed], we will be like him, because we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this hope in ·Christ [L him] keep themselves pure, just as ·Christ [L he] is pure.

4 ·The person [L Everyone] who ·sins [commits sin] ·breaks God’s law [commits lawlessness/iniquity; C referring to the false teachers; 2:19–20]. Yes, sin is ·living against God’s law [lawlessness; iniquity]. 5 You know that ·Christ came [L he has appeared/was revealed] to take away sins and that there is no sin in ·Christ [L him]. 6 So anyone who ·lives [abides; remains] in ·Christ [L him] does not ·go on sinning [or sin; C the Christian ideal, an implicit call to avoid sin]. Anyone who ·goes on sinning [or sins] has ·never really understood Christ and has never known him [L neither seen him nor known him].

7 Dear children [2:1], do not let anyone ·lead you the wrong way [deceive you]. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as ·Christ [L he] is righteous. 8 Anyone who ·continues to sin [or sins] belongs to the devil [John 8:44], because the devil has been sinning since the beginning. The Son of God ·came [was revealed; appeared] for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s work [Matt. 4:1–11; 12:25–29; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Rev. 12:7–12; 20:1–3].

9 ·Those [L All] who are ·God’s children [L born of/begotten by God; 2:29] do not ·continue sinning [or sin], because ·the new life from God [or God’s message; or God’s Spirit; L his seed/sperm] ·remains [abides] in them. They are not able to ·go on sinning [or sin], because they ·have become children of God [L are born of/begotten by God]. 10 ·So we can see [L In this way it is apparent/revealed/evident] who God’s children are and who the devil’s children are: Those who do not ·do what is right [practice righteousness] are not ·God’s children [L from/of God], and those who do not love their brothers and sisters are not ·God’s children [L from/of God].

We Must Love Each Other

11 This is the ·teaching [message] you have heard from the beginning: We must love each other [C as Jesus himself taught: John 13:34–35; 15:12]. 12 Do not be like Cain who belonged to the Evil One and ·killed [murdered] his brother [Gen. 4; John 8:44]. And why did he ·kill [murder] him? Because the things Cain did were evil, and the things his brother did were ·good [righteous; just].

13 Brothers and sisters [C fellow believers], do not ·be surprised [be amazed; wonder] ·when [or that; or if] ·the people of the world hate [L the world hates] you. 14 We know we have ·left death and have come into life [passed/crossed from death to life; John 5:24] because we love ·each other [L the brothers and sisters]. Whoever does not love ·is still dead [abides/remains/continues in death]. 15 Everyone who hates a brother or sister [C fellow believer] is a murderer [C because they have killed that person in their heart; Matt. 5:21–26], and you know that no murderers have eternal life [L abiding; remaining] in them. 16 This is how we know what real love is: ·Jesus [L he] ·gave [laid down] his life for us [John 15:13]. So we should ·give [lay down] our lives for our brothers and sisters [C fellow believers; John 15:12]. 17 Suppose someone has ·enough to live [L the world’s possessions/goods] and sees a brother or sister [C fellow believer] in need, but ·does not help [L closes off his heart/compassion from him]. ·Then God’s love is not living in that person [L How does God’s love abide/remain in him?]. 18 My children [2:1], we should love people not only ·with words and talk [L in word and tongue], but ·by our actions and true caring [or by showing true love through our actions; L in deed and truth].

·This is the way [L By this] we ·know [L will know; C perhaps in a future moment of crisis] that we belong to the ·way of truth [L truth]. ·When [or If] our hearts [C our conscience] ·make us feel guilty [condemn/convict us], ·we can still have peace before God [our hearts can be reassured before him]. God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything [1 Cor. 4:3–5]. 21 ·My dear friends [L Beloved], if our hearts do not ·make us feel guilty [condemn/convict us], we ·can come without fear into God’s presence [L have boldness/confidence before God]. 22 And ·God gives us [L we receive from him] what we ask for because we obey ·God’s [L his] commands and do what pleases him [John 14:14; 16:23]. 23 This is ·what God commands [L his command]: that we believe in [L the name of] his Son, Jesus Christ, and that we love each other, just as he commanded. 24 The people who ·obey [keep] God’s commands ·live [abide; remain] in God, and God ·lives [abides; remains] in them. We know that God ·lives [abides; remains] in us ·because of [by; from] the Spirit God gave us.

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1 John 3
King James Version

3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

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1 John 3
New King James Version

The Command to Love

3 Behold (A)what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that (B)we should be called children of [a]God! Therefore the world does not know [b]us, (C)because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, (D)now we are children of God; and (E)it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, (F)we shall be like Him, for (G)we shall see Him as He is. 3 (H)And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Sin and the Child of God

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and (I)sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know (J)that He was manifested (K)to take away our sins, and (L)in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 (M)He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, (N)that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been (O)born of God does not sin, for (P)His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

The Imperative of Love(Q)

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, (R)that we should love one another, 12 not as (S)Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if (T)the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [c]his brother abides in death. 15 (U)Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that (V)no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The Outworking of Love

16 (W)By this we know love, (X)because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But (Y)whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, (Z)let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we [d]know (AA)that we are of the truth, and shall [e]assure our hearts before Him. 20 (AB)For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, (AC)we have confidence toward God. 22 And (AD)whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments (AE)and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ (AF)and love one another, as He gave [f]us commandment.

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

24 Now (AG)he who keeps His commandments (AH)abides in Him, and He in him. And (AI)by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:1 NU adds And we are.
  2. 1 John 3:1 M you
  3. 1 John 3:14 NU omits his brother
  4. 1 John 3:19 NU shall know
  5. 1 John 3:19 persuade, set at rest
  6. 1 John 3:23 M omits us
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1 Juan 3
La Biblia de las Américas

Los hijos de Dios

3 Mirad cuán gran amor[a] nos ha otorgado el Padre(A), para que seamos llamados hijos de Dios(B); y eso somos. Por esto el mundo no nos conoce, porque no le conoció a Él(C). 2 Amados(D), ahora somos hijos de Dios(E) y aún no se ha manifestado lo que habremos de ser(F). Pero sabemos que cuando Él se manifieste[b](G), seremos semejantes a Él(H) porque le veremos como Él es(I). 3 Y todo el que tiene esta esperanza puesta en Él(J), se purifica, así como Él es puro(K). 4 Todo el que practica el pecado, practica también la infracción de la ley[c], pues[d] el pecado es infracción de la ley[e](L). 5 Y vosotros sabéis que Él se manifestó(M) a fin de quitar los[f] pecados(N), y en Él no hay pecado(O). 6 Todo el que permanece en Él, no peca(P); todo el que peca, ni le ha visto ni le ha conocido(Q). 7 Hijos míos[g](R), que nadie os engañe(S); el que practica la justicia es justo(T), así como Él es justo. 8 El que practica el pecado es del diablo(U), porque el diablo ha pecado[h] desde el principio. El Hijo de Dios(V) se manifestó con este propósito(W): para destruir[i] las obras del diablo(X). 9 Ninguno que es nacido[j] de Dios(Y) practica[k] el pecado(Z), porque la simiente de Dios[l] permanece en él; y no puede pecar, porque es nacido[m] de Dios. 10 En esto se reconocen[n] los hijos de Dios(AA) y los hijos del diablo(AB): todo aquel que no practica la justicia, no es de Dios; tampoco aquel que no ama(AC) a su hermano(AD). 11 Porque este es el mensaje(AE) que habéis oído desde el principio(AF): que nos amemos unos a otros(AG); 12 no como Caín(AH) que era del maligno(AI), y mató a su hermano. ¿Y por qué causa lo mató? Porque sus obras eran malas, y las de su hermano justas(AJ).

Amemos de hecho, no de palabra

13 Hermanos, no os maravilléis si el mundo os odia(AK). 14 Nosotros sabemos que hemos pasado de muerte a vida(AL) porque amamos a los hermanos(AM). El que no ama[o] permanece en muerte. 15 Todo el que aborrece a su hermano es homicida(AN), y vosotros sabéis que ningún homicida tiene vida eterna permanente en él(AO). 16 En esto conocemos el amor: en que Él puso su vida por nosotros(AP); también nosotros debemos poner nuestras vidas(AQ) por los hermanos(AR). 17 Pero el que tiene bienes de este mundo(AS), y ve a su hermano en necesidad y cierra su corazón[p] contra[q] él(AT), ¿cómo puede morar[r] el amor de Dios en él(AU)? 18 Hijos[s](AV), no amemos de palabra ni de lengua, sino de hecho y en verdad(AW). 19 En esto sabremos que somos de la verdad(AX), y aseguraremos[t] nuestros corazones delante de Él 20 en cualquier cosa en que nuestro corazón nos condene; porque Dios[u] es mayor que nuestro corazón y sabe todas las cosas. 21 Amados(AY), si nuestro corazón no nos condena, confianza tenemos delante de[v] Dios(AZ); 22 y todo lo que pidamos lo recibimos de Él(BA), porque guardamos sus mandamientos(BB) y hacemos las cosas que son agradables delante de Él(BC). 23 Y este es su mandamiento: que creamos(BD) en el nombre de su Hijo Jesucristo(BE), y que nos amemos unos a otros como Él nos ha mandado[w](BF). 24 El que guarda sus mandamientos(BG) permanece en Él(BH) y Dios[x] en él. Y en esto sabemos(BI) que Él permanece en nosotros(BJ): por el Espíritu que nos ha dado.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Juan 3:1 Lit., qué clase de amor
  2. 1 Juan 3:2 Lit., si se manifiesta
  3. 1 Juan 3:4 O, iniquidad
  4. 1 Juan 3:4 Lit., y
  5. 1 Juan 3:4 O, iniquidad
  6. 1 Juan 3:5 Algunos mss. dicen: nuestros
  7. 1 Juan 3:7 O, Hijitos
  8. 1 Juan 3:8 Lit., peca
  9. 1 Juan 3:8 O, deshacer
  10. 1 Juan 3:9 O, engendrado
  11. 1 Juan 3:9 Lit., Todo aquél...no practica
  12. 1 Juan 3:9 Lit., su simiente
  13. 1 Juan 3:9 O, engendrado
  14. 1 Juan 3:10 Lit., se manifiestan
  15. 1 Juan 3:14 Algunos mss. posteriores agregan: a su hermano
  16. 1 Juan 3:17 Lit., sus entrañas
  17. 1 Juan 3:17 Lit., de
  18. 1 Juan 3:17 Lit., ¿cómo mora?
  19. 1 Juan 3:18 O, Hijitos
  20. 1 Juan 3:19 O, persuadiremos
  21. 1 Juan 3:20 Lit., delante de Él; porque si nuestro corazón nos condena, Dios
  22. 1 Juan 3:21 Lit., hacia
  23. 1 Juan 3:23 O, nos dio mandamiento
  24. 1 Juan 3:24 Lit., El
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