The Elect Lady and Her Children
1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known athe truth;
2For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3bGrace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I crejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, dthat we love one another.
6And ethis is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, fas ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7For gmany deceivers are entered into the world, hwho confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. iThis is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8jLook to yourselves, kthat we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Abide in the Doctrine of Christ
9lWhosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10If there come any unto you, and bring mnot this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12nHaving many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, othat our joy may be full.
13pThe children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.