16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and (A)he who abides in love abides in God, and God (B)in him.

The Consummation of Love

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that (C)we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 (D)We love [a]Him because He first loved us.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 John 4:19 NU omits Him

16 And we have come to know and have believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him. 17 By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as that one is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear includes punishment, and the one who is afraid has not been perfected in love. 19 We love, because he first loved us.

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