Greeting
1 The elder:
To the elect a lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not only I, but also all who know the truth b— 2 because of the truth that remains in us c and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace d will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son e of the Father, in truth and love. f
Truth and Deception
4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, g in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. 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. h 6 This is love: i that we walk according to his commands. j This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love. A
7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. k This is the deceiver and the antichrist. l 8 Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we B have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. m 9 Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching n but goes beyond it does not have God. o The one who remains p in that teaching, this one has both the Father q and the Son. r 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive s him into your home, and don’t greet him; 11 for the one who greets him shares t in his evil works. u
Farewell
12 Though I have many things to write to you, v 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 w may be complete.