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Greeting

¹ The elder:

To the elect^(C1) lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not only I, but also all who know the truth^(C2)— ² because of the truth that remains in us^(C1) and will be with us forever.

³ Grace, mercy, and peace^(C1) will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son^(C2) of the Father, in truth and love.^(C3)

Truth and Deception

⁴ I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth,^(C1) 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.^{(C1) 6} This is love:^(C1) that we walk according to his commands.^(C2) This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love.^(F1)

⁷ Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.^(C1) This is the deceiver and the antichrist.^{(C2) 8} Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we^(F1) have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.^{(C1) 9} Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching^(C1) but goes beyond it does not have God.^(C2) The one who remains^(C3) in that teaching, this one has both the Father^(C4) and the Son.^{(C5) 10} If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive^(C1) him into your home, and don’t greet him; ¹¹ for the one who greets him shares^(C1) in his evil works.^(C2)

Farewell

¹² Though I have many things to write to you,^(C1) 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^(C2) may be complete.

¹³ The children of your elect sister send you greetings.