How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)
Quote #1
I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever. (1 John 2:14-17, NRSV)
I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:14-17, KJV)
Two equations, c/o the elder:
(1) Love of God = good.
(2) Love of the World = evil.
The elder doesn't mean that God's creations (trees, birds, flowers, and all that good stuff) are bad. It's the people of the world who turn away from God and become obsessed with things like sex, beauty, and money.
Quote #2
Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18, NRSV)
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18, KJV)
Beware the antichrist!
The elder knows the world is about to end because people are spreading all kinds of evil rumors about God. Little does he know, God can take this stuff for at least another two thousand years.
Quote #3
We must not be like Cain who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous[…] All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. (1 John 3:12, 15, NRSV)
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:12, 15, KJV)
This is a unique reading of Cain and Abel's story from Genesis. Apparently Cain did evil things and Abel did good things, so Cain decided to kill his brother. We kind of remember something about God favoring one brother over the other, but hey, there are no right answers in literature…right?