Salutation

1 The elder: To the elect ⓘ lady and her children, whom I love in the truth — and not only I, but also all who know the truth ⓙ  —

2 because of the truth that remains in us ⓚ and will be with us forever.

3 Grace, mercy, and peace ⓛ will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son ⓜ of the Father, in truth and love. ⓝ

Walk in Truth

4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, ⓐ in keeping with a command we have received from the Father.

Walk in Love

5 So now I ask you, dear lady — not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning — that we love one another. ⓑ

6 This is love: ⓒ that we walk according to his commands. ⓓ This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love. [1]

Beware of False Teachers

7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. ⓔ This is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⓕ

8 Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we [2] have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. ⓖ

9 Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching ⓗ but goes beyond it does not have God. ⓘ The one who remains ⓙ in that teaching, this one 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 home, and don’t greet him;

11 for the one who greets him shares ⓝ in his evil works. ⓐ

Benediction

12 Though I have many things to write to you, ⓑ I don’t want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy ⓒ may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister send you greetings.