²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, ^(A)looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

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.

²⁸ so ^(A)Christ was ^(B)offered once to bear the sins ^(C)of many. To those who ^(D)eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

^12 (A)looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will ^(B)be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will ^(C)melt with fervent heat?

Love and Joy Perfected

⁹ “As the Father ^(A)loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ^10 (B)If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

⁵ Now may ^(A)the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

¹¹ And ^(A)they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, ^(B)and they did not love their lives to the death.

^13 (A)looking for the blessed ^(B)hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ^14 (C)who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed ^(D)and purify for Himself ^(E)His own special people, zealous for good works.