1 John 2:3–11

God’s Commands

3 This is how we are sure y that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. z 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn’t keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, a truly in him the love of God is perfected. b This is how we know we are in Him: c 6 The one who says he remains in Him d should * walk just as He walked.

7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command e but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message f you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away g and the true light h is already shining. i

9 The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother j is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother k remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. l 11 But the one who hates his brother m is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, n and doesn’t know where he’s going, o because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

y	Jn 13:35 1 Jn 2:5 1 Jn 3:19 1 Jn 3:24 1 Jn 4:2 1 Jn 4:6 1 Jn 4:13 1 Jn 5:2
z	Jn 14:15 Jn 15:10
a	Jn 14:23
b	2:5 Or truly completed
c	Jn 6:56 Jn 14:20 Jn 15:1–7 Ro 8:1 2 Co 5:17 Eph 2:10 Php 1:1
d	Jn 15:4–7 1 Jn 2:24 1 Jn 2:27–28 1 Jn 3:6 1 Jn 3:24 1 Jn 4:13 1 Jn 4:15–16
*
e	Mk 7:8 Jn 13:34 2 Jn 5
f	Lk 6:47 Jn 1:1
g	Ro 13:12 1 Co 7:31 1 Jn 2:17
h	Jn 1:9 Jn 3:19–21 Jn 8:12 Jn 12:46
i	Jn 1:5 Jn 12:35–36 Re 22:5
j	1 Jn 2:11 1 Jn 3:15 1 Jn 4:20
k	Ro 12:10 1 Th 4:9 Heb 13:1 1 Pe 1:22 1 Jn 3:10 1 Jn 3:14–17 1 Jn 4:20–21
l	2:10 Or in it
m	Le 19:17 1 Jn 3:15 1 Jn 4:20
n	1 Jn 1:6
o	Jn 14:6