²⁵ As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. ²⁶ But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”^(A)

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism^{(A) 35} but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.^(B)

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on^(A) all who heard the message. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter^(B) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out^(C) even on Gentiles.^{(D) 46} For they heard them speaking in tongues^[a](E) and praising God.

Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.^(F) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”^{(G) 48} So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.^(H) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

God’s Love and Ours

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another,^(A) for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God^(B) and knows God.^{(C) 8} Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.^{(D) 9} This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^(E) into the world that we might live through him.^{(F) 10} This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us^(G) and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.^(H)

⁹ “As the Father has loved me,^(A) so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands,^(B) you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.^{(C) 12} My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.^{(D) 13} Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.^{(E) 14} You are my friends^(F) if you do what I command.^{(G) 15} I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.^{(H) 16} You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you^(I) so that you might go and bear fruit^(J)—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.^{(K) 17} This is my command: Love each other.^(L)