1 B ehold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

See 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.

2 B eloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.

Beloved, 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.

3 A nd every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

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

4 E very one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

Everyone 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).

5 A nd ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin.

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

6 W hosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him.

No 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.

7 M y little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous:

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

8 h e that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

he 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.

9 W hosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.

No 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.

10 I n this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

By 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).

11 F or this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:

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

12 n ot as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

not 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).

13 M arvel not, brethren, if the world hateth you.

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

14 W e know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.

We 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.

15 W hosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

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

16 H ereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

By 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].

17 B ut whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?

But 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?

18 M y Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.

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

19 H ereby shall we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before him:

By 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,

20 b ecause if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Whenever 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.

21 B eloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God;

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

22 a nd whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

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

23 A nd this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.

And 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.

24 A nd he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

All 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.