The one who does not lovedoes not knowGod,for Godis love.
But You, O Lord,are a Godmercifuland gracious,Slowto angerand abundantin lovingkindnessand truth.
For You, Lord,are good,and readyto forgive,And abundantin lovingkindnessto allwho callupon You.
Finally,brethren,rejoice,be made complete,be comforted,be like-minded,live in peace;and the Godof loveand peacewill be with you.
But God,beingrichin mercy,becauseof His greatlovewith whichHe lovedus,
for our Godis a consumingfire.
Thisis the messagewe have heardfrom Him and announceto you, that Godis Light,and in Him there is nodarknessat all.
The one who says,"I have come to knowHim," and does not keepHis commandments,is a liar,and the truthis not in him;
The one who sayshe is in the Lightand [yet] hateshis brotheris in the darknessuntilnow.
By thisthe childrenof Godand the childrenof the devilare obvious:anyonewho does not practicerighteousnessis not of God,northe one who does not lovehis brother.
Noonewho abidesin Him sins;noonewho sinshas seenHim orknowsHim.
We have come to knowand have believedthe lovewhichGodhasfor us. Godis love,and the one who abidesin loveabidesin God,and Godabidesin him.
Beloved,let us loveone another,for loveis from God;and everyonewho lovesis bornof Godand knowsGod.