Love One Another

(John 13:31–35; Romans 12:9–13)

11 This is the message you have heard from [the] beginning: We should love one another.12 [Do] not [be] like Cain, [who] belonged to the evil [one] and murdered his brother. And why did [Cain] slay him? Because his [own] deeds were evil, while those of his brother [were] righteous.13 [So] {do} not be surprised, my brothers,[fn] if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love [our] brothers. The [one who] does not love [his] brother[fn] remains in death.15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life {does} not reside in a murderer.

16 By this we know what love [is]:[fn] [Jesus] laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down [our] lives for [our] brothers.17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother [in] need, [but] withholds his compassion from him, how {can} the love of God abide in him?

18 My[fn] little children, let us love not in word [and] speech, but in action and truth.19 And by this we know that we belong to the truth, and assure[fn] our hearts in His presence:20 Even if our hearts condemn [us], God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.

21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,[fn] we have confidence before God,22 and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded.[fn]24 Whoever keeps His commandments remains in [God], and [God] in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us.