1 ¶ The elder unto the chosen lady and her sons, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but also all those that have known the truth,

The 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;

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

for the truth's sake which abideth in us, and it shall be with us for ever:

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 charity.

Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4 I have rejoiced greatly, for I have found of thy sons that they walk in the truth, as we have received the commandment from the Father.

I rejoice greatly that I have found certain of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.

5 ¶ And 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 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.

6 A nd this is charity, that we walk after his commandment. And this is the commandment, That ye walk in him, as ye have heard from the beginning.

And 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.

7 ¶ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh. This same is a deceiver and antichrist.

For 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.

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

Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.

9 W hosoever rebels and does not abide in the doctrine of the Christ, does not have God. He that abides in the doctrine of the Christ, the same has the Father and the Son.

Whosoever 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.

10 ¶ If anyone comes unto you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house neither say unto him, Welcome:

If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting:

11 F or he that says unto him, Welcome, is partaker of his evil deeds.

for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.

12 ¶ Having 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.

Having 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.

13 T he sons of thy chosen sister greet thee. Amen.

The children of thine elect sister salute thee.