1 John 3
1 Behold what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called, and should be the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth not us, because it knew not him.
See what marvellous love the Father has bestowed upon us--that we should be called God's children: and that is what we are. For this reason the world does not recognize us--because it has not known Him.
2 Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be. We know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is.
Dear friends, we are now God's children, but what we are to be in the future has not yet been fully revealed. We know that if Christ reappears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.
3 And every one that hath this hope in him, sanctifieth himself, as he also is holy.
And every man who has this hope fixed on Him, purifies himself so as to be as pure as He is.
4 Whosoever committeth sin committeth also iniquity; and sin is iniquity.
Every one who is guilty of sin is also guilty of violating Law; for sin is the violation of Law.
5 And you know that he appeared to take away our sins, and in him there is no sin.
And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not; and whosoever sinneth, hath not seen him, nor known him.
No one who continues in union with Him lives in sin: no one who lives in sin has seen Him or knows Him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you. He that doth justice is just, even as he is just.
Dear children, let no one lead you astray. The man who acts righteously is righteous, just as He is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
He who is habitually guilty of sin is a child of the Devil, because the Devil has been a sinner from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for the purpose of undoing the work of the Devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God, committeth not sin: for his seed abideth in him, and he can not sin, because he is born of God.
No one who is a child of God is habitually guilty of sin. A God-given germ of life remains in him, and he cannot habitually sin--because he is a child of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. Whosoever is not just, is not of God, nor he that loveth not his brother.
By this we can distinguish God's children and the Devil's children: no one who fails to act righteously is a child of God, nor he who does not love his brother man.
11 For this is the declaration, which you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another.
For this is the Message you have heard from the beginning--that we are to love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one, and killed his brother. And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked: and his brother’s just.
We are not to resemble Cain, who was a child of the Evil one and killed his own brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own actions were wicked and his brother's actions righteous.
13 Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you.
Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not, abideth in death.
As for us, we know that we have already passed out of death into Life--because we love our brother men. He who is destitute of love continues dead.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. (aiōnios g166)
Every one who hates his brother man is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has the Life of the Ages continuing in him. (aiōnios g166)
16 In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
We know what love is--through Christ's having laid down His life on our behalf; and in the same way we ought to lay down our lives for our brother men.
17 He that hath the substance of this world, and shall see his brother in need, and shall shut up his bowels from him: how doth the charity of God abide in him?
But if any one has this world's wealth and sees that his brother man is in need, and yet hardens his heart against him--how can such a one continue to love God?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth.
Dear children, let us not love in words only nor with the lips, but in deed and in truth.
19 In this we know that we are of the truth: and in his sight shall persuade our hearts.
And in this way we shall come to know that we are loyal to the truth, and shall satisfy our consciences in His presence
20 For if our heart reprehend us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
in whatever matters our hearts condemn us--because God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
21 Dearly beloved, if our heart do not reprehend us, we have confidence towards God:
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have perfect confidence towards God;
22 And whatsoever we shall ask, we shall receive of him: because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight.
and whatever we ask for we obtain from Him, because we obey His commands and do the things which are pleasing in His sight.
23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ: and love one another, as he hath given commandment unto us.
And this is His command--that we are to believe in His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us to do.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments, abideth in him, and he in him. And in this we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
The man who obeys His commands continues in union with God, and God continues in union with him; and through His Spirit whom He has given us we can know that He continues in union with us.
