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14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

16 If you see a fellow believer[a] sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. 17 All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.

18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. 19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God.[b] And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 5:16 Greek a brother.
  2. 5:20 Greek the one who is true.
  3. 5:21 Greek keep yourselves from idols.

14 This is the confidence(A) we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.(B) 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know(C) that we have what we asked of him.(D)

16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life.(E) I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death.(F) I am not saying that you should pray about that.(G) 17 All wrongdoing is sin,(H) and there is sin that does not lead to death.(I)

18 We know that anyone born of God(J) does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one(K) cannot harm them.(L) 19 We know that we are children of God,(M) and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.(N) 20 We know also that the Son of God has come(O) and has given us understanding,(P) so that we may know him who is true.(Q) And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.(R)

21 Dear children,(S) keep yourselves from idols.(T)

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