1 John 2:3-17
Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments.
Whoever says, "I have come to know him," but does not obey his
commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist;
but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has
reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever
says, "I abide in him," ought to walk just as he walked.
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that
you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you
have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him
and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is
already shining. Whoever says, "I am in the light," while hating a
brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or
sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for
stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks
in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has
brought on blindness.
I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people,
because you have conquered the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people,
because you are strong
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father
is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world — the
desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches — comes
not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are
passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.
