1 S ee what '> an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2 B eloved, we are now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be, but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall '> as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

3 A nd everyone who has this hope on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Sin and the Child of God

4 E veryone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law by transgression or neglect—being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

5 Y ou know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin '> essentially and forever].

And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

6 N o one who abides in Him '> in communion with and in obedience to Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who sins has either seen or known Him.

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

7 B oys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

8 h e who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil.

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

9 N o one born (begotten) of God '> habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.

Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. The Imperative of Love

10 B y this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children: no one who does not practice righteousness is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ).

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

11 F or this is the message (the announcement) which you have heard from the first, that we should love one another,

For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

12 n ot be like Cain who from the evil one and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his deeds (activities, works) were wicked and malicious and his brother’s were righteous (virtuous).

not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

13 D o not be surprised and wonder, brethren, that the world detests and pursues you with hatred.

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

14 W e know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in death.

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

15 A nyone who hates (abominates, detests) his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding ( persevering) within him.

Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. The Outworking of Love

16 B y this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the love: that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay lives down for brothers '> in Him].

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 B ut if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 L ittle children, let us not love in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

19 B y this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence,

And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

20 W henever our hearts in '> tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. '> we are in God’s hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything.

For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

21 A nd, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us, we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God,

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.

22 A nd we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we '> watchfully] obey His orders and '> habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

23 A nd this is His order (His command, His injunction): that we should believe in (put our faith and trust in and adhere to and rely on) the name of His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us.

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

24 A ll who keep His commandments abide in Him, and He in them. '> They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ.] And by this we know and understand and have the proof that He lives and makes His home in us: by the Spirit Whom He has given us.

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.