Salutation

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I but also all those who have known the truth,

2 because the truth continues in us and is with us forever.

3 May grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, in truth and love.

Walk in Truth

4 I greatly rejoiced when I found your children following the truth, just as we received commandment from the Father.

Walk in Love

5 Lady, now I ask you, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we had from the beginning, that we show love to one another.

6 This is love: that we follow his commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so you must live by it.

Beware of False Teachers

7 For many deceivers have entered the world, who do not freely admit that Jesus Christ as coming in flesh. This is a deceiver and antichrist.

8 Watch yourselves that you don't lose those things that we worked for but that we receive a full reward.

9 Everyone who turns aside from and doesn't continue in Christ's teaching does not have God. The one who does continue in Christ's teaching has both the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house, nor greet him.

11 For the one who greets him shares his evil work.

Benediction

12 I have much to write to you, but I don't want to with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and speak face to face that our joy may be full.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.