| 1 | The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, |
| 2 | because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us for ever: |
| 3 | Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love. |
| 4 | I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children following the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. |
| 5 | And now I beg you, lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. |
| 6 | And this is love, that we follow his commandments; this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you follow love. |
| 7 | For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. |
| 8 | Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward. |
| 9 | Any one who goes ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son. |
| 10 | If any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting; |
| 11 | for he who greets him shares his wicked work. |
| 12 | Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. |
| 13 | The children of your elect sister greet you. |