Bible

1 John 3 (AMP)

Topics in Book | Outline of Book | Facts About Book | Commentary | Parallel Verse

NET | ESV | KJV | ASV | RSV | Good News | CEV | Basic | MSG | Spanish | French

Previous Chapter | Browse | Next Chapter

1 SEE WHAT 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 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 resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless). 4 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 You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin . 6 No one who abides in Him commits (practices) sin. No one who sins has either seen or known Him . 7 Boys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. 8 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 No one born (begotten) of God practices sin, for God's nature abides in him ; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God. 10 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 For this is the message (the announcement) which you have heard from the first, that we should love one another, 12 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 Do not be surprised and wonder, brethren, that the world detests and pursues you with hatred. 14 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 Anyone who hates (abominates, detests) his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him. 16 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 . 17 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 Little children, let us not love in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity). 19 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 Whenever our hearts in self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything . 21 And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us , we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God, 22 And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we obey His orders and practice what is pleasing to Him. 23 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 All who keep His commandments abide in Him, and He in them. 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.