Greeting

The Elder:^[a]

To the elect^(A) lady^[b] and her children: I love all of you in the truth—and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth^(B)— ² because of the truth that remains in us^(C) and will be with us forever.

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 the truth,^(G) in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. ⁵ So now I urge 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} And this is love:^(I) that we walk according to His commands.^(J) This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love.^[c]

⁷ Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.^[d](K) This is the deceiver and the antichrist.^{(L) 8} Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we^[e] 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 don’t say, “Welcome,” to him; ¹¹ for the one who says, “Welcome,” to 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 do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to be with you and talk face to face^[f] so that our joy^(W) may be complete.

¹³ The children of your elect sister send you greetings.