This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, [from] a good conscience, and [from] sincere faith,

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God [must] love his brother also.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

Finally, all [of you be] of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, [be] tenderhearted, [be] courteous;

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.