1 T he elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know 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 abideth in us, and it 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, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from 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 rejoice greatly that I have found certain of thy children walking in truth, even as we received 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 to thee a new commandment, 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 should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that 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 gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the 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 ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye 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 goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same 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 any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting:

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 giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.

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 them with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made 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 thine elect sister salute thee.

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