^6 (A)If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we ^(B)walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and ^(C)the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we ^(A)confess our sins, He is ^(B)faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to ^(C)cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we ^(D)make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

The Test of Knowing Him

³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a ^(A)liar, and the truth is not in him.

⁵ But ^(A)whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God ^[a]is perfected ^(B)in him. By this we know that we are in Him. ^6 (C)He who says he abides in Him ^(D)ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

^9 (A)He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. ^10 (B)He who loves his brother abides in the light, and ^(C)there is no cause for stumbling in him. ¹¹ But he who ^(D)hates his brother is in darkness and ^(E)walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Do Not Love the World

^15 (A)Do not love the world or the things in the world. ^(B)If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

¹⁷ And ^(A)the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

^19 (A)They went out from us, but they were not of us; for ^(B)if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out ^(C)that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

^23 (A)Whoever denies the Son does not have the ^(B)Father either; ^(C)he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.