1 T he elder to elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only but also all who have known the truth,

The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth;

2 f or the truth's sake which abides in us and shall be with us to eternity.

for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever:

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

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, 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 of thy children walking in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father.

I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.

5 A nd now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we have had from beginning, that we should love one another.

Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

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

This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

7 F or many deceivers have gone out into the world, they who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh—this is the deceiver and the antichrist.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist.

8 S ee to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages.

Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.

9 W hosoever goes forward and abides not in the doctrine of the Christ has not God. He that abides in the doctrine, he has both the Father and the Son.

Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.

10 I f any one come to you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into house, and greet him not;

If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him,

11 f or he who greets him partakes in his wicked works.

for he who welcomes him participates in his evil deeds.

12 H aving many things to write to you, I would not with paper and ink; but hope to come to you, and to speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.

Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.

13 T he children of thine elect sister greet thee.

The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.