Greeting

1The Elder:a

To the electb ladyc and her children: I love all of you in the truth — and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truthd — 2because of the truth that remains in use and will be with us forever.

3Grace, mercy, and peacef will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Song of the Father, in truth and love.h

Truth and Deception

4I was very glad to find some of your children •walking in the truth,i in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. 5So now I urge 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.j 6And this is love:k that we walk according to His commands.l This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love.m

7Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.n, o This is the deceiver and the antichrist.p 8Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what weq have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.r 9Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teachings but goes beyond it, does not have God.t The one who remainsu in that teaching, this one has both the Fatherv and the Son.w 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receivex him into your home, and don’t say, “Welcome,” to him; 11for the one who says, “Welcome,” to him sharesy in his evil works.z

Farewell

12Though I have many things to write to you,aa I don’t want to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to be with you and talk face to faceab so that our joyac may be complete.

13The children of your elect sister send you greetings.