1:1 | From* the elder,* to an elect lady* and her children, whom I love in truth* (and not I alone, but also all those* who know the truth), |
1:2 | because of the truth* that resides in us and will be with us forever. |
1:3 | Grace, mercy, and* peace will be with us from God the Father and from* Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love. |
1:4 | I rejoiced greatly because I have found some* of your children living according to the truth,* just as the Father commanded us.* |
1:5 | But now* I ask you, lady (not as if I were* writing a new commandment* to you, but the one* we have had from the beginning),* that* we love one another. |
1:6 | (Now this is love: that we walk* according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus* you should walk in it.* |
1:7 | For* many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as* Christ* coming in the flesh.* This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!* |
1:8 | Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for,* but receive a full reward.* |
1:9 | Everyone* who goes on ahead and does not remain* in the teaching of Christ* does not have God.* The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. |
1:10 | If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting,* |
1:11 | because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.* |
1:12 | Though I have many other* things to write to you, I do not want to do so with* paper and ink,* but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face,* so that our joy may be complete.* |
1:13 | The children of your elect sister greet you.* |