1 T he 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—

The Elder to the choice Kyria, and to her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all those having known the truth,

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

because of the truth that is remaining in us, and with us shall be to the age,

3 G race (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.

there shall be with you grace, kindness, peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

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

I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found of thy children walking in truth, even as a command we did receive from the Father;

5 A nd 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.

and now I beseech thee, Kyria, not as writing to thee a new command, but which we had from the beginning, that we may love one another,

6 A nd 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.

and this is the love, that we may walk according to His commands; this is the command, even as ye did hear from the beginning, that in it ye may walk,

7 F or 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.

because many leading astray did enter into the world, who are not confessing Jesus Christ coming in flesh; this one is he who is leading astray, and the antichrist.

8 L ook 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.

See to yourselves that ye may not lose the things that we wrought, but a full reward may receive;

9 A nyone 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.

every one who is transgressing, and is not remaining in the teaching of the Christ, hath not God; he who is remaining in the teaching of the Christ, this one hath both the Father and the Son;

10 I f 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.

if any one doth come unto you, and this teaching doth not bear, receive him not into the house, and say not to him, `Hail!'

11 F or he who wishes him success is a partaker in his evil doings.

for he who is saying to him, `Hail,' hath fellowship with his evil works.

12 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.

Many things having to write to you, I did not intend through paper and ink, but I hope to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full;

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

salute thee do the children of thy choice sister. Amen.