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Greeting

^1 (a)The elder to the elect lady and her children, ^(b)whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who ^(c)know ^(d)the truth, ^2 (e)because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

^3 (f)Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

^4 (g)I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. ⁵ And now I ask you, dear lady—^(h)not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—⁽ⁱ⁾that we love one another. ⁶ And ^(j)this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just ^(k)as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. ⁷ For ^(l)many deceivers ^(m)have gone out into the world, ⁽ⁿ⁾those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch yourselves, ^(o)so that you may not lose what we^[a] have worked for, but ^(p)may win a full reward. ⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, ^(q)does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching ^(r)has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, ^(s)do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, ¹¹ for whoever greets him ^(t)takes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

^12 (u)Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. ^(v)Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, ^(w)so that our joy may be complete.

¹³ The children of your elect sister greet you.