Greeting

¹ The elder:

To the elect^(A) lady and her children, whom I love in the truth – and not only I, but also all who know the truth^(B) –  ² because of the truth that remains in us^(C) and will be with us for ever.

³ Grace, mercy, and peace^(D) will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son^(E) of the Father, in truth and love.^(F)

Truth and Deception

⁴ I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth,^(G) in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. ⁵ So now I ask you, dear lady – not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning – that we love one another.^{(H) 6} This is love:^(I) that we walk according to his commands.^(J) This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love.^[a]

⁷ Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.^(K) This is the deceiver and the antichrist.^{(L) 8} Watch yourselves so that you don’t lose what we^[b] have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.^{(M) 9} Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching^(N) but goes beyond it does not have God.^(O) The one who remains^(P) in that teaching, this one has both the Father^(Q) and the Son.^{(R) 10} If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive^(S) him into your home, and do not greet him; ¹¹ for the one who greets him shares^(T) in his evil works.^(U)

Farewell

¹² Though I have many things to write to you,^(V) I don’t want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy^(W) may be complete.

¹³ The children of your elect sister send you greetings.