Greeting

¹aThe elder to the elect lady and her children, bwhom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who cknow dthe truth, ²ebecause of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

³fGrace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

⁴gI rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. ⁵And now I ask you, dear lady—hnot as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—ithat we love one another. ⁶And jthis is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just kas you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. ⁷For lmany deceivers mhave gone out into the world, nthose who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸Watch yourselves, oso that you may not lose what we1 have worked for, but pmay win a full reward. ⁹Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, qdoes not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching qhas both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, rdo not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, ¹¹for whoever greets him stakes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

¹²tThough I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. uInstead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, vso that our joy may be complete.

¹³The children of your elect sister greet you.