1
See what love the Father has given 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.
2
Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
3
And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4
Every one who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
5
You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
6
No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him.
7
Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.
8
He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
9
No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God.