THE presbyter to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all who have known the truth:

I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we should love one another.

And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, as ye have heard from the beginning, That ye should walk in it.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Watch yourselves, that you do not lose the things which we have accomplished, but that you receive a full reward.

Whoever goes on and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.

Though I have a great deal to write to you, I would rather not write it with paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you, and talk with you face to face, so that your happiness may be complete.