Midweek Lent 4

1 John 3:11–15

A reading from First John, the third chapter.

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning,

that we should love one another.

We should not be like Cain,

who was of the evil one and murdered his brother.

And why did he murder him?

Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

Do not be surprised,

brothers,

that the world hates you.

We know that we have passed out of death into life,

because we love the brothers.

Whoever does not love abides in death.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer,

and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

O Lord, have mercy on us.