²¹ For ^(A)to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for ^[a]us, ^(B)leaving ^[b]us an example, that you should follow His steps:

^23 (D)who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but ^(E)committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; ^24 (F)who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, ^(G)that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—^(H)by whose ^[c]stripes you were healed. ²⁵ For ^(I)you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned ^(J)to the Shepherd and ^[d]Overseer of your souls.

The Test of Knowing Christ

2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, ^(A)we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ² And ^(B)He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but ^(C)also for the whole world.

The Test of Knowing Him

³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a ^(D)liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But ^(E)whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God ^[a]is perfected ^(F)in him. By this we know that we are in Him. ^6 (G)He who says he abides in Him ^(H)ought himself also to walk just as He walked.