1 John 4:16-5:2

English Standard Version

¹⁶So ^(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. ¹⁷By 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. ¹⁸There 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. ²¹And ^(M)this commandment we have from him: ^(N)whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Overcoming the World

5 ^(O)Everyone who believes that ^(P)Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and ^(Q)everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. ²^(R)By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.