1 The elder4245 to the elect1588 lady2959 and her children,5043 whom3739 I love25 in the truth;225 and not I only,3441 but also2532 all3956 they that have2192 known1097 the truth;225

2 For the truth's225 sake, which3588 dwells3306 in us, and shall be with us for ever.165

3 Grace5485 be with you, mercy,1656 and peace,1515 from God2316 the Father,3962 and from the Lord2962 Jesus2424 Christ,5547 the Son5207 of the Father,3962 in truth225 and love.26

4 I rejoiced5463 greatly3029 that I found2147 of your children5043 walking4043 in truth,225 as we have2192 received2983 a commandment1785 from the Father.3962

5 And now3568 I beseech2065 you, lady,2959 not as though I wrote1125 a new2537 commandment1785 to you, but that which3739 we had2192 from the beginning,746 that we love25 one240 another.240

6 And this3778 is love,26 that we walk4043 after2596 his commandments.1785 This3778 is the commandment,1785 That, as you have heard191 from the beginning,746 you should walk4043 in it.

7 For many4183 deceivers4108 are entered1525 into1519 the world,2889 who3588 confess3670 not that Jesus2424 Christ5547 is come2064 in the flesh.4561 This3778 is a deceiver4108 and an antichrist.500

8 Look991 to yourselves,1438 that we lose622 not those things which3739 we have worked,2038 but that we receive618 a full4134 reward.3408

9 Whoever3956 3588 transgresses,3845 and stays3306 not in the doctrine1322 of Christ,5547 has2192 not God.2316 He that stays3306 in the doctrine1322 of Christ,5547 he has2192 both2532 the Father3962 and the Son.5207

10 If1487 there come2064 any5100 to you, and bring5342 not this5026 doctrine,1322 receive2983 him not into1519 your house,3614 neither3366 bid3004 him God speed:5463

11 For he that bids3004 him God speed5463 is partaker2841 of his evil4190 deeds.2041

12 Having2192 many4183 things to write1125 to you, I would1014 not write with paper5489 and ink:3188 but I trust1679 to come2064 to you, and speak2980 face4750 to face,4750 that our joy5479 may be full.4137

13 The children5043 of your elect1588 sister79 greet782 you. Amen.281