The Word of Life

1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life^(A)— ² this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us^(B)— ³ what we have seen and heard we also declare to you so that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.^{(C) 4} We are writing these things so that our^[a] joy may be complete.

God Is Light

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.^{(D) 6} If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; ⁷ but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.^{(E) 8} If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.^{(F) 10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.^(G)

Salutation

¹ The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,^{(A) 2} because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from^[a] Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.^(B)

Truth and Love

⁴ I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. ⁵ But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment but one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another.^{(C) 6} And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.^(D)

⁷ Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist!^{(E) 8} Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we^[b] have worked for but may receive a full reward.^{(F) 9} Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it,^[c] does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching^[d] has both the Father and the Son.^{(G) 10} If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive and welcome this person into your house,^{(H) 11} for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.^(I)

Final Greetings

¹² Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead, I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our^[e] joy may be complete.^(J)

¹³ The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.^[f]

Salutation

¹ The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

Gaius Commended for His Hospitality

² Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. ³ For I was overjoyed when some brothers and sisters arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, how you walk in the truth.^{(A) 4} I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.^(B)

⁵ Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you;^{(C) 6} they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God,^{(D) 7} for they began their journey for the sake of Christ,^[a] accepting no support from nonbelievers.^{[b](E) 8} Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become coworkers with the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

⁹ I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not welcome us. ¹⁰ So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome the brothers and sisters and even prevents those who want to do so and expels them from the church.^(F)

¹¹ Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.^{(G) 12} Everyone has testified favorably about Demetrius, and so has the truth^[c] itself. We also testify for him,^[d] and you know that our testimony is true.^(H)

Final Greetings

¹³ I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write to you with pen and ink;^{(I) 14} instead, I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.

¹⁵ Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name.^(J)