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.

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16 We have come to know and rely on[a] the love that God has for us. God is love, and the person who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 This is how love has been perfected among us: we will have confidence on the day of judgment because, during our time in this world, we are just like him. 18 There is no fear where love exists.[b] Rather, perfect love banishes fear, for fear involves punishment, and the person who lives in fear has not been perfected in love.

19 We love[c] because God[d] first loved us.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 4:16 Lit. believe in
  2. 1 John 4:18 Lit. in love
  3. 1 John 4:19 Other mss. read love him; still other mss. read love God
  4. 1 John 4:19 Lit. he