1 T he elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

The elderly elder to the elect (chosen) lady (Cyria) and her children, whom I truly love—and not only I but also all who are learning to recognize and know and understand the Truth—

2 f or the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

Because of the Truth which lives and stays on in our hearts and will be with us forever:

3 G race be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Grace (spiritual blessing), mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ (the Messiah), the Father’s Son, in all sincerity (truth) and love.

4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

I was greatly delighted to find some of your children walking (living) in Truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.

5 A nd now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

And now I beg you, lady (Cyria), not as if I were issuing a new charge (injunction or command), but the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6 A nd this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love.

7 F or many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

For many imposters (seducers, deceivers, and false leaders) have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge (confess, admit) the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) in bodily form. Such a one is the imposter (the seducer, the deceiver, the false leader, the antagonist of Christ) and the antichrist.

8 L ook to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Look to yourselves (take care) that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have labored for, but that you may win and receive back a perfect reward.

9 W hosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Anyone who runs on ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.

10 I f there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement.

11 f or he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

For he who wishes him success is a partaker in his evil doings.

12 H aving many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to do so with paper and ink; I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 T he children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

The children of your elect (chosen) sister wish to be remembered to you. Amen (so be it).