1. To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but also all those who know the truth,
2. for the sake of the truth, which remains 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 greatly rejoiced that I found some of your children walking in truth as we were commanded by the Father.
5. And now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6. And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
7. For many deceivers, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Each one is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8. Watch yourselves, so that we do not lose those things for which we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.
9. Whoever transgresses and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
10. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, nor greet him.
11. For whoever greets him takes part in his evil deeds.
12. I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to write with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face to face that our joy may be complete.
13. The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.