The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

I am greatly rejoiced to find some of your children leading their lives in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.

Dear lady, I am now requesting of you that we all continue to love one another. It is not as though I am writing to give you a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning.

The love of which I am speaking consists in our living in obedience to God's commands. God's command is that you should live in obedience to what you all heard from the very beginning.

Having much to say to you, it is not my purpose to put it all down with paper and ink: but I am hoping to come to you, and to have talk with you face to face, so that your joy may be full.