Concluding Words

13 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.^[a]

²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer,^[a] that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? ²¹ And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.^[b]

Faith in the Son of God

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ^[c] has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.

All Christians

⁸ Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.^[a] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

²² You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.^[a] Love each other deeply with all your heart.^[b]

⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

¹⁷ Respect everyone, and love the family of believers.^[a] Fear God, and respect the king.

⁵ I am writing to remind you, dear friends,^[a] that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. ⁶ Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.

⁹ If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer,^[a] that person is still living in darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves a fellow believer^[b] is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.

²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Encouragement during Persecution

³ Dear brothers and sisters,^[a] we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.