More on love and hatred

For this is the message (the announcement) which you have heard from the first,
that we should love one another,

[And] not be like Cain who [took his nature and got his motivation]
from the evil one and slew his brother.
And why did he slay him?
Because his deeds (activities, works) were wicked and malicious
and his brother’s were righteous (virtuous).

Do not be surprised and wonder, brethren,
that the world detests and pursues you with hatred.

We know that we have passed over out of death into Life
by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians).
He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually)
in [spiritual] death.

Anyone who hates (abominates, detests) his brother [in Christ]
is [at heart] a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him.

By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand)
the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us;
and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him].

But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life)
and sees his brother and fellow believer in need,
yet closes his heart of compassion against him,
how can the love of God live and remain in him?

Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech
but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).

By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand)
that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence,

Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation
make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God’s hands.]
For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts),
and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him].

And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts)
do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us],
we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God,

And we receive from Him whatever we ask,
because we [watchfully] obey His orders
[observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us]
and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.

And this is His order (His command, His injunction):
that we should believe in (put our faith and trust in and adhere to and rely on)
the name of His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah),
and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us.

All who keep His commandments
[who obey His orders and follow His plan, live and continue to live, to stay and]
abide in Him, and He in them.
[They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ.]
And by this we know and understand and have the proof
that He [really] lives and makes His home in us:
by the [Holy] Spirit Whom He has given us.