1
The elder[G4245] unto the elect[G1588]lady[G2959]and[G2532]her[G846]children[G5043], whom[G3739]I[G1473]love[G25]in[G1722] the truth[G225]; and[G2532]not[G3756]I[G1473]only[G3441], but[G235]also[G2532]all[G3956] they that have known[G1097] the truth[G225];
2For[G1223] the truth's sake[G225], which[G3588]dwelleth[G3306]in[G1722]us[G2254], and[G2532] shall be[G2071]with[G3326]us[G2257]for[G1519]ever[G165].
3Grace[G5485]be[G2071]with[G3326]you[G5216], mercy[G1656], and[G2532]peace[G1515], from[G3844]God[G2316] the Father[G3962], and[G2532]from[G3844] the Lord[G2962]Jesus[G2424]Christ[G5547], the Son[G5207] of the Father[G3962], in[G1722]truth[G225]and[G2532]love[G26].
4
I rejoiced[G5463]greatly[G3029]that[G3754] I found[G2147]of[G1537]thy[G4675]children[G5043]walking[G4043]in[G1722]truth[G225], as[G2531] we have received[G2983] a commandment[G1785]from[G3844] the Father[G3962].
5And[G2532]now[G3568] I beseech[G2065]thee[G4571], lady[G2959], not[G3756] as though[G5613] I wrote[G1125] a new[G2537]commandment[G1785] unto thee[G4671], but[G235]that[G2443]which[G3739] we had[G2192]from[G575] the beginning[G746], that[G2443] we love[G25] one another[G240].
6And[G2532]this[G3778]is[G2076]love[G26], that[G2443] we walk[G4043]after[G2596]his[G846]commandments[G1785]. This[G3778]is[G2076] the commandment[G1785], That[G2443], as[G2531] ye have heard[G191]from[G575] the beginning[G746], ye should walk[G4043]in[G1722]it[G846].
7For[G3754]many[G4183]deceivers[G4108] are entered[G1525]into[G1519] the world[G2889], who[G3588]confess[G3670]not[G3361] that Jesus[G2424]Christ[G5547]is[G2076]come[G2064]in[G1722] the flesh[G4561]. This[G3778]is[G2076] a deceiver[G4108]and[G2532] an antichrist[G500].
8Look[G991] to yourselves[G1438], that[G3363] we lose[G622]not[G3363] those things which[G3739] we have wrought[G2038], but[G235]that[G3363] we receive[G618] a full[G4134]reward[G3408].
9Whosoever[G3956]transgresseth[G3845], and[G2532]abideth[G3306]not[G3361]in[G1722] the doctrine[G1322] of Christ[G5547], hath[G2192]not[G3756]God[G2316]. He[G3778] that abideth[G3306]in[G1722] the doctrine[G1322] of Christ[G5547], he[G3778]hath[G2192]both[G2532] the Father[G3962]and[G2532] the Son[G5207].
10If[G1536] there come[G2064]any[G1536]unto[G4314]you[G5209], and[G2532]bring[G5342]not[G3756]this[G5026]doctrine[G1322], receive[G2983]him[G846]not[G3361]into[G1519] your house[G3614], neither[G2532]bid[G3004]him[G846] God speed[G5463]:
11For[G1063] he that biddeth[G3004]him[G846] God speed[G5463] is partaker[G2841] of his[G846]evil[G4190]deeds[G2041].
12Having[G2192] many things[G4183]to[G4314]write[G1125]unto[G4314]you[G5213], I would[G1014]not[G3756]write[G1125]with[G1223]paper[G5489]and[G2532]ink[G3188]: but[G235] I trust[G1679]to[G4314]come[G2064]unto[G4314]you[G5209], and[G2532]speak[G2980]face[G4750]to[G4314]face[G4750], that[G2443]our[G2257]joy[G5479] may be[G5600]full[G4137].
13
The children[G5043] of thy[G4675]elect[G1588]sister[G79]greet[G782]thee[G4571]. Amen[G281].