1 John 3
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See y what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called z children of God; and so we are. The reason why a the world does not know us is that b it did not know him.
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Beloved, we are z God's children c now, and what we will be d has not yet appeared; but we know that e when he appears f we shall be like him, because g we shall see him as he is.
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And everyone who h thus hopes in him i purifies himself as he is pure.
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Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; j sin is lawlessness.
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You know that k he appeared to l take away sins, and m in him there is no sin.
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No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; n no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
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Little children, o let no one deceive you. p Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
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q Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was r to destroy the works of the devil.
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s No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
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By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, t nor is the one who u does not love his brother.
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For v this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, w that we should love one another.
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We should not be like x Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? y Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.
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Do not be surprised, brothers, z that the world hates you.
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We know that a we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
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b Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that c no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
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By this we know love, that d he laid down his life for us, and e we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
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But f if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet g closes his heart against him, h how does God's love abide in him?
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Little children, let us not i love in word or talk but in deed and j in truth.
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By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;
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for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
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Beloved, k if our heart does not condemn us, l we have confidence before God;
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and m whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and n do what pleases him.
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And this is his commandment, o that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and p love one another, q just as he has commanded us.
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r Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And s by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
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Cross References
1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
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Cross References
John 1:12
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
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1 John 4:17
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
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Cross References
John 16:3
And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.
John 17:25
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.
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Cross References
1 John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
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Cross References
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!
Galatians 3:26
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Ephesians 1:5
He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
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Cross References
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
2 Corinthians 4:17
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
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Cross References
1 John 2:28
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
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Romans 8:29
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 4:11
For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Philippians 3:21
Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
2 Peter 1:4
By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
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Cross References
John 17:24
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Revelation 22:4
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
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Cross References
Romans 15:12
And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.
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2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
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1 John 5:17
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
Romans 4:15
For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
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Cross References
Hebrews 9:26
For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
1 John 1:2
The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us -
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Cross References
Isaiah 53:11 - 12
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
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1 Peter 2:22
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
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1 John 2:4
Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 4:8
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
3 John 1:11
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
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Cross References
1 John 2:26
I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
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Cross References
1 John 2:29
If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
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Cross References
Matthew 13:38
The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
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Cross References
Hebrews 2:14
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.
Genesis 3:15
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
Luke 10:18
And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
John 16:11
Concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
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Cross References
1 John 5:18
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
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Cross References
1 John 4:8
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
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Cross References
1 John 4:20 - 21
If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
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1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 2:24
Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
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Cross References
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
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Cross References
Genesis 4:4
And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.
Genesis 4:8
Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
Jude 1:11
Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
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Cross References
Psalms 38:20
Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.
Proverbs 29:10
Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
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John 15:18
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
John 17:14
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
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Cross References
John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
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Matthew 5:21 - 22
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'
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Galatians 5:21
Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Revelation 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
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John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
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Philippians 2:17
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
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James 2:15 - 16
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food.
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Deuteronomy 15:7
If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother.
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1 John 4:20
If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
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Ezekiel 33:31
And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.
Ephesians 4:15
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
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Cross References
2 John 1:1
The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth.
3 John 1:1
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 4:4
For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
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1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Job 11:15
Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear.
Job 22:26
For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
Romans 14:22
The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
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Cross References
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
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John 8:29
And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.
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John 6:29
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.
Acts 18:8
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
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Cross References
1 John 3:11
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
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1 John 2:8
At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
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John 6:56
Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
John 14:20
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
John 15:4 - 5
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 17:21
That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
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Cross References
1 John 4:13
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
Romans 8:9
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.