1 John 2:4-14

4 The person who says, "I know him," but doesn't obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn't in that person.

5 But whoever obeys what Christ says is the kind of person in whom God's love is perfected. That's how we know we are in Christ.

6 Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived.

7 Dear friends, it's not as though I'm writing to give you a new commandment. Rather, I'm giving you an old commandment that you've had from the beginning. It's the old commandment you've already heard.

8 On the other hand, I'm writing to give you a new commandment. It's a truth that exists in Christ and in you: The darkness is fading, and the true light is already shining.

9 Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark.

10 Those who love other believers live in the light. Nothing will destroy the faith of those who live in the light.

11 Those who hate other believers are in the dark and live in the dark. They don't know where they're going, because they can't see in the dark.

12 I'm writing to you, dear children, because your sins are forgiven through Christ.

13 I'm writing to you, fathers, because you know Christ who has existed from the beginning. I'm writing to you, young people, because you have won the victory over the evil one.

14 I've written to you, children, because you know the Father. I've written to you, fathers, because you know Christ, who has existed from the beginning. I've written to you, young people, because you are strong and God's word lives in you. You have won the victory over the evil one.