1 John 3:12-22

12 Don't behave like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he kill him? He killed him because his own works were evil, but the works of his brother were righteous.

Loving each other

13 Don't be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have transferred from death to life, because we love the brothers and sisters. The person who does not love remains in death.

15 Everyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

16 This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

17 But if a person has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need and that person doesn't care—how can the love of God remain in him?

18 Little children, let's not love with words or speech but with action and truth.

19 This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts in God's presence.

20 Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.

21 Dear friends, if our hearts don't condemn us, we have confidence in relationship to God.

22 We receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.