Greeting

1 The elder, to a chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth (and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth), ² because of¹ the truth that abides within² us, and that will be with us forever. ³ Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father—and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father—will always be with us, in truth and in love.

Walking in Love

⁴ It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in truth, just as the Father commanded us to do.^{3 5} But now I ask of you, beloved lady—not as though I were writing you a new command, but rather the command we have had from the very beginning—that we love one another. ⁶(And this too is love: that we walk according to his commands.) Just as you have heard from the beginning, this is the great command, given so that all of you would walk in it.

Beware of Deceivers

⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men⁴ who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ So watch yourselves: See that you do not lose the things we⁵ worked so hard to acquire, but rather that you receive a full reward.

⁹ Everyone who runs out ahead and does not abide⁶ in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; but he who abides in the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and fails to bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not greet him as a brother; ¹¹ for he who greets him as a brother is participating in his evil deeds.

Concluding Hope and Greeting

¹² Though I have many other things to write to you, I decided not to share them using⁷ paper and ink; instead, I hope to come to you and speak with you face to face, so that our⁸ joy may be full.

¹³ The children of your chosen sister greet you.

Notes

1. Or for the sake of
2. Or among
3. Lit. just as we received a command from the Father
4. Lit. those
5. Many mss you
6. Or remain, continue, go on
7. Lit. I did not want (will) (to do so) through
8. Some mss your