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

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 4:20 Some manuscripts how can he

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