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¹ Consider what proof the father has given us of his love, in allowing us to be called the sons of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it knew him not. ² beloved, we are now the sons of God, tho' it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know, that when this change shall be, his immediate presence will give us a divine resemblance. ³ he that hath such an expectation should purify himself, even as he is pure.

⁴ he that is vitious, is lawless: for sin is the transgression of the law. ⁵ and you know that he appear'd to abolish our sins; and that he was himself without sin. ⁶ whosoever adheres to him, sinneth not: whosoever sinneth, hath not seen him, he does not know him. ⁷ dear children, let no man deceive you: only he that acts justly is just, as he is just. ⁸ he that lives in sin, imitates the devil; for the devil was a sinner from the beginning. for this purpose the son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁹ whosoever is born of God, does not commit sin; for the divine principle remaineth in him: he will not sin, because he is born of God. ¹⁰ In this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: he that does not practise virtue, and fraternal benevolence, is not of God.

¹¹ for this is the doctrine that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. ¹² not acting like Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother: but why did he slay him? because his own actions were evil, and his brother's were virtuous. ¹³ Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

¹⁴ as for us, we know, that we have passed from a state of death to that of life, because we love our brethren: he that does not love his brother, is in a destructive state. ¹⁵ whosoever hateth his brother, has the disposition of a murderer: and you know that no murderer has any title to eternal life. ¹⁶ this is the proof of the divine love, Christ expos'd his life for us: and we ought to expose our lives for the brethren. ¹⁷ he that possesses the enjoyments of life, and seeing his brother in want, has no compassion for him, how can he be said to have any divine love? ¹⁸ my dear children, let not our love be only in the language of our lips, but in the real effects of the heart. ¹⁹ Hereby we shall know that we are true professors, and set our consciences securely at rest.

²⁰ for if our conscience condemn us, God knows us better than we do our selves, he knoweth all things. ²¹ beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we may securely confide in God. ²² whatever we ask, we shall receive it of him, because we keep his commandments, and do what is agreeable to him.

²³ now this is his commandment, that we believe in his son Jesus Christ, and that we love one another, as he commanded us. ²⁴ he that observes his commandments, dwelleth in God, and God in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the spirit which he hath given us.