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¹ The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,² because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: ³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you [fn] from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. ⁴ I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

⁵ And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.⁶ This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.⁸ Look to yourselves, that we [fn] do not lose those things we worked for, but that we [fn] may receive a full reward. ⁹ Whoever transgresses [fn] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;¹¹ for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

¹² Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. ¹³ The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.