THE 1elder unto the 2elect 3lady and her children, 4whom I love 5in the truth; and not I only, but also 6all they that have known 7the truth;
8For the truth's sake, which dwelleth 9in us, and shall be with us for ever.
10Grace 11be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, 12in truth and love.
I rejoiced greatly that I found 13of thy children walking 14in truth, as we have received a commandment 15from the Father.
And now I beseech thee, lady, nota as though I wrote 16a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, thatb we love one another.
Andc17this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard 18from the beginning, ye should walk 19in it.
Ford many deceivers are entered into the world, 20who confess not 21that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and 22an antichrist.
23Look to yourselves, 24that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a 25full 26reward.
Whosoever 27transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, 28hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he 29hath both the Father and the Son.
Ife there come any 30unto you, and 31bring not 32this doctrine, 33receive him not into your house, neither bid him 34God speed:
For he that biddeth him God speed is 35partaker of his 36evil deeds.
Having 37many things to write unto you, I would not write 38with paperf and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak 39face to face, that 40our joy may be 41full.
The children of thy 42elect sister greet thee. Amen.