John 3:16

For God so loved the world

For God: The one who created us - Gen. 1:1.
so loved: The expression of God's character; expressed in many ways even to those who ultimately reject it - Luke 6:35.
the world: That's us.
that he gave: The expression of sacrificial love in a self-centered world - Romans 5:8.
his one and only Son,: That's Jesus Christ, who was given not only at his birth, but also at his death.
that whoever believes in him: Those who trust him and what he did for us, rather than relying on their own merit, for acceptance by God.
should not perish: The natural consequence of sin, like wages earned - Romans 6:23a.
but have eternal life.: Paid for by Jesus' death; made available by his resurrection; results in a changed way of life and a new perspective toward God and creation. Begins in some respects right now, but reaches its complete manifestation when Jesus returns to bring judgment and justice to the world. A gift not earned - Romans 6:23b.

John 3:16-18

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him

should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God didn't send his Son into the world

to judge the world,

but that the world should be saved through him.

He who believes in him is not judged.

He who doesn't believe has been judged already,

because he has not believed

in the name of the one and only Son of God.