Geneva Bible (1599)1 John 3

¹ Behold, what loue the Father hath giuen to vs, that we should be called the sonnes of God: for this cause this world knoweth you not, because it knoweth not him.

² Dearely beloued, nowe are we the sonnes of God, but yet it is not made manifest what we shall be: and we know that when he shalbe made manifest, we shalbe like him: for we shall see him as he is.

³ And euery man that hath this hope in him, purgeth himselfe, euen as he is pure.

⁴ Whosoeuer committeth sinne, transgresseth also the Law: for sinne is the transgression of the Lawe.

⁵ And ye knowe that hee was made manifest, that he might take away our sinnes, and in him is no sinne.

⁶ Whosoeuer abideth in him, sinneth not: whosoeuer sinneth, hath not seene him, neither hath knowen him.

⁷ Litle children, let no man deceiue you: he that doeth righteousnes, is righteous, as hee is righteous.

⁸ He that comitteth sinne, is of the deuil: for the deuill sinneth from the beginning: for this purpose was made manifest that Sonne of God, that he might loose the workes of the deuil.

⁹ Whosoeuer is borne of God, sinneth not: for his seede remaineth in him, neither can hee sinne, because he is borne of God.

¹⁰ In this are the children of God knowen, and the children of the deuil: whosoeuer doeth not righteousnesse, is not of God, neither he that loueth not his brother.

¹¹ For this is the message, that ye heard from the beginning, that we should loue one another,

¹² Not as Cain which was of that wicked one, and slewe his brother: and wherefore slewe he him? because his owne workes were euill, and his brothers good.

¹³ Marueile not, my brethren, though this world hate you.

¹⁴ We know that we are translated from death vnto life, because we loue the brethren: he that loueth not his brother, abideth in death.

¹⁵ Whosoeuer hateth his brother, is a manslayer: and ye know that no manslayer hath eternall life abiding in him.

¹⁶ Hereby haue we perceiued loue, that he layde downe his life for vs: therefore we ought also to lay downe our liues for the brethren.

¹⁷ And whosoeuer hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother haue neede, and shutteth vp his compassion from him, howe dwelleth the loue of God in him?

¹⁸ My litle children, let vs not loue in worde, neither in tongue onely, but in deede and in trueth.

¹⁹ For thereby we know that we are of the trueth, and shall before him assure our hearts.

²⁰ For if our heart condemne vs, God is greater then our heart, and knoweth all things.

²¹ Beloued, if our heart condemne vs not, then haue we boldnes toward God.

²² And whatsoeuer we aske we receiue of him, because we keepe his commandements, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight.

²³ This is then his commandement, That we beleeue in the Name of his Sonne Iesus Christ, and loue one another as hee gaue commandement.

²⁴ For hee that keepeth his commandements, dwelleth in him, and he in him: and hereby we knowe that hee abideth in vs, euen by that Spirit which he hath giuen vs.