²¹ keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait^(A) for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.^(B)

¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.^(A) Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.^(B)

²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once^(A) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,^(B) not to bear sin,^(C) but to bring salvation^(D) to those who are waiting for him.^(E)

¹² as you look forward^(A) to the day of God and speed its coming.^[a](B) That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.^(C)

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.

⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts^(A) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing^(A) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,^{(B) 14} who gave himself for us^(C) to redeem us from all wickedness^(D) and to purify^(E) for himself a people that are his very own,^(F) eager to do what is good.^(G)