For there is no one here like him who will readily demonstrate his deep concern for you.

by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,

For there must in fact be divisions among you, so that those of you who are approved may be evident.

I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.

Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord considered his response of faith as proof of genuine loyalty.

to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter.

Then all the nations of the earth will recognize that the Lord is the only genuine God.

Call to mind now: Who, being innocent, ever perished? And where were upright people ever destroyed?

The wicked person earns deceitful wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a genuine reward.

The Lord abhors the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?

The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.

through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true;

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

But a time is coming – and now is here – when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers.