1 T he elder to elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only but also all who have known the truth,

2 f or the truth's sake which abides in us and shall be with us to eternity.

3 G race shall be with you, mercy, peace from God Father, and from Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father.

5 A nd now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we have had from beginning, that we should love one another.

6 A nd this is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, according as ye have heard from the beginning, that ye might walk in it.

7 F or many deceivers have gone out into the world, they who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh—this is the deceiver and the antichrist.

8 S ee to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages.

9 W hosoever goes forward and abides not in the doctrine of the Christ has not God. He that abides in the doctrine, he has both the Father and the Son.

10 I f any one come to you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into house, and greet him not;

11 f or he who greets him partakes in his wicked works.

12 H aving many things to write to you, I would not with paper and ink; but hope to come to you, and to speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.

13 T he children of thine elect sister greet thee.