1 The elder, to the elect lady and her children which I love in the truth: And not I only, but also all that have known the truth,
2 for the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be in us for ever.
3 With you be grace, mercy, and peace from God the father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of the father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment of the father.
5 And now beseech I thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that same, which we had from the beginning: that we should love one another.
6 And this is the love, that we should walk after his commandments. This commandment is, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, which confess not Jesus Christ as coming, or returning in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look on yourselves, that we lose not that we have wrought: but that we may have a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that endureth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the father, and the son.
10 If there come any unto you and bring not this learning, him receive not to house: neither bid him Godspeed.
11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed, is partaker of his evil deeds.
12 I had many things to write unto you, nevertheless I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak with you mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.