— select-a-version↑ 1.
1THE ELDER
to the Lady chosen by God, and her children, whom I love in truth—and not I alone but all who know the truth— 2for the sake of the truth that dwells among us and will be with us for ever.
3Grace, mercy, and peace shall be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I was delighted to find that some of your children are living by the truth, as we were commanded by the Father. 5And now I have a request to make of you. Do not think I am giving a new command; I am recalling the one we have had before us from the beginning: let us love one another. 6And love means following the commands of God. This is the command which was given you from the beginning, to be your rule of life.
7Many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. These are the persons described as the Antichrist, the arch-deceiver. 8Beware of them, so that you may not lose all that we worked for, but receive your reward in full.
9Anyone who runs ahead too far, and does not stand by the doctrine of the Christ, is without God; he who stands by that doctrine possesses both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you who does not bring this doctrine, do not welcome him into your house or give him a greeting; 11for anyone who gives him a greeting is an accomplice in his wicked deeds.
12I have much to write to you, but I do not care to put it down in black and white. But I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13The children of your Sister, chosen by God, send their greetings.