1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not I alone, but all who have come to know the truth—
2 for the sake of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 grace, mercy and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I was very glad that I have found some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with the commandment we received from the Father.
5 And now I beg you, lady, not as one writing you a fresh commandment, but the one we have had since the beginning: let us love one another.
6 And love is this: that we walk by his commandments. This is the commandment, as you heard it from the start, that you walk in it.
7 For many deceivers have entered into the world, men who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we may not lose the things we accomplished, but may receive full wages.
9 Everyone who oversteps and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If someone comes to you without bringing this teaching, do not receive him into the house, and do not say "Greetings" to him;
11 for the one who says "Greetings" to him shares in his wicked works.
12 Having many things to write to you, I preferred not to use paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of your elect sister send you their greetings. Amen.