1 T he elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who 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 sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

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

3 G race, mercy and peace will 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 was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do 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 N ow I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have 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 according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you 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 have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming 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 W atch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may 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 A nyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has 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 anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a 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 the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

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

12 T hough I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so 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 your chosen sister greet you.

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