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 athe truth,
2 for the sake of the truth that dwells in us and will be with us forever.
3 ¶ bGrace, mercy and peace will be with us from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 ¶ I crejoiced greatly that I found your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And now I urge you, lady, not as though writing a new commandment to you, but what we had from the beginning, dthat we love one another.
6 And ethis is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that fas you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
7 ¶ For gmany deceivers have gone out into the world hwho do not confess that Jesus Christ is coming in the flesh. iThis is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 jLook to yourselves so kthat you do not lose those things that we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
9 ¶ lWhoever goes ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. He who abides in the teaching of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and mdoes not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him greeting.
11 For he who gives him greeting participates in his evil deeds.
12 ¶ nHaving many things to write to you, I did not want to write with paper and ink. But I trust to come to you and speak face to face so othat our joy may be full.
13 ¶ pThe children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
Chapter 1 References:
a Cl 1:5; b 1 Tm 1:2; c 3 Jn 3,4; d Jn 13:34,35; 15:12,17;
e 1 Jn 2:5; 5:3; f Jn 2:24; g 1 Jn 2:19; 4:1;
h 1 Jn 4:2; i 1 Jn 2:22; j Mk 13:9; k Gl 3:4;
l Jn 15:16; 8:31; m Rm 16:17; n 3 Jn 13,14;
o Jn 17:13; p 1 Pt 5:13