Romans 12:9

Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

1 Timothy 1:5

But the goal of our instruction is love [which springs] from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Psalm 34:14


Turn away from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

Amos 5:15


Hate evil and love good,
And establish justice in the [court of the city] gate.
Perhaps the Lord God of hosts
Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph [that is, those who remain after God’s judgment].

1 Peter 1:22

Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly seeking the best for one another],

Psalm 97:10


You who love the Lord, hate evil;
He protects the souls of His godly ones (believers),
He rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 101:3


I will set no worthless or wicked thing before my eyes.
I hate the practice of those who fall away [from the right path];
It will not grasp hold of me.

2 Corinthians 6:6

in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

2 Samuel 20:9-10

Joab said to Amasa, “Is it going well with you, my brother?” And with his right hand Joab took hold of Amasa by the beard [as if] to kiss him [in greeting].

Psalm 36:4


He plans wrongdoing on his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not reject or despise evil.

Psalm 45:7


You have loved righteousness (virtue, morality, justice) and hated wickedness;
Therefore God, your God, has anointed You
Above Your companions with the oil of jubilation.

Psalm 55:21


The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
But his heart was hostile;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.

Psalm 119:104


From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 119:163


I hate and detest falsehood,
But I love Your law.

Proverbs 8:13


“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

Proverbs 26:25


When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.

Ezekiel 33:31

They come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not practice them; for with their mouth they express loving devotion, but their heart goes after their (unlawful) gain.

Matthew 26:49

Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal].

John 12:6

Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor [for he had never cared about them], but because he was a thief; and since he had the money box [serving as treasurer for the twelve disciples], he used to pilfer what was put into it.

Acts 11:23

When he arrived and saw the grace of God [that was bestowed on them], he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with an unwavering heart to stay true and devoted to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 8:8

I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well.

1 Thessalonians 2:3

For our appeal does not come from delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth—it does not change].

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.

Hebrews 1:9


You have loved righteousness [integrity, virtue, uprightness in purpose] and have hated lawlessness [injustice, sin].
Therefore God, Your God, Has anointed You
With the oil of gladness above Your companions.”

Hebrews 12:14

Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.

James 2:15-16

If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day,

1 Peter 3:10-11

For,The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not],
Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit).

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].

1 John 3:18-20

Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Bible References

Love

2 Samuel 20:9
Joab said to Amasa, “Is it going well with you, my brother?” And with his right hand Joab took hold of Amasa by the beard [as if] to kiss him [in greeting].
Psalm 55:21

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
But his heart was hostile;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.
Proverbs 26:25

When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.
Ezekiel 33:31
They come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not practice them; for with their mouth they express loving devotion, but their heart goes after their (unlawful) gain.
Matthew 26:49
Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal].
John 12:6
Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor [for he had never cared about them], but because he was a thief; and since he had the money box [serving as treasurer for the twelve disciples], he used to pilfer what was put into it.
2 Corinthians 6:6
in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
2 Corinthians 8:8
I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well.
1 Thessalonians 2:3
For our appeal does not come from delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth—it does not change].
1 Timothy 1:5
But the goal of our instruction is love [which springs] from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
James 2:15
If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day,
1 Peter 1:22
Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly seeking the best for one another],
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].
1 John 3:18
Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].

Abhor

Psalm 34:14

Turn away from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 36:4

He plans wrongdoing on his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not reject or despise evil.
Psalm 45:7

You have loved righteousness (virtue, morality, justice) and hated wickedness;
Therefore God, your God, has anointed You
Above Your companions with the oil of jubilation.
Psalm 97:10

You who love the Lord, hate evil;
He protects the souls of His godly ones (believers),
He rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 101:3

I will set no worthless or wicked thing before my eyes.
I hate the practice of those who fall away [from the right path];
It will not grasp hold of me.
Psalm 119:104

From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
Proverbs 8:13

“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.
Amos 5:15

Hate evil and love good,
And establish justice in the [court of the city] gate.
Perhaps the Lord God of hosts
Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph [that is, those who remain after God’s judgment].
Hebrews 1:9

You have loved righteousness [integrity, virtue, uprightness in purpose] and have hated lawlessness [injustice, sin].
Therefore God, Your God, Has anointed You
With the oil of gladness above Your companions.”

General references

Deuteronomy 4:4
but you who held tightly to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you.
Hebrews 13:1
Let love of your fellow believers continue.
1 John 4:21
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him.