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,

I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment of the father.

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.

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.

Look on yourselves, that we lose not that we have wrought: but that we may have a full reward.

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.

For he that biddeth him Godspeed, is partaker of his evil deeds.

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.