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.