16 By this we know love, that (A)he laid down his life for us, and (B)we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But (C)if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet (D)closes his heart against him, (E)how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not (F)love in word or talk but in deed and (G)in truth.

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16 We have come to know love by this: that he[a] laid down his life on behalf of us, and we ought to lay down our lives on behalf of the brothers. 17 But whoever has the world’s material possessions and observes his brother in need[b] and shuts his heart against him, how does the love of God reside in him?

18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 3:16 Literally “that one” (referring to Jesus Christ)
  2. 1 John 3:17 Literally “having need”