1
The elder unto the electladyandherchildren, whomIlovein the truth; andnotIonly, butalsoall they that have known the truth;
2For the truth's sake, whichdwellethinus, and shall bewithusforever.
3Gracebewithyou, mercy, andpeace, fromGod the Father, andfrom the LordJesusChrist, the Son of the Father, intruthandlove.
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I rejoicedgreatlythat I foundofthychildrenwalkingintruth, as we have received a commandmentfrom the Father.
5Andnow I beseechthee, lady, not as though I wrote a newcommandment unto thee, butthatwhich we hadfrom the beginning, that we love one another.
6Andthisislove, that we walkafterhiscommandments. Thisis the commandment, That, as ye have heardfrom the beginning, ye should walkinit.
7Formanydeceivers are enteredinto the world, whoconfessnot that JesusChristiscomein the flesh. Thisis a deceiverand an antichrist.
8Look to yourselves, that we losenot those things which we have wrought, butthat we receive a fullreward.
9Whosoevertransgresseth, andabidethnotin the doctrine of Christ, hathnotGod. He that abidethin the doctrine of Christ, hehathboth the Fatherand the Son.
10If there comeanyuntoyou, andbringnotthisdoctrine, receivehimnotinto your house, neitherbidhim God speed:
11For he that biddethhim God speed is partaker of hisevildeeds.
12Having many thingstowriteuntoyou, I wouldnotwritewithpaperandink: but I trusttocomeuntoyou, andspeakfacetoface, thatourjoy may befull.