
{1}1{/}

{I}1_{/}I, the elder, to 
the chosen Lady and her 
children, whom I love 
sincerely - and with me 
all who know the truth - 
{I}2_{/}because of this 
same truth which is and 
will be in us forever.
{I}3_{/}Grace, mercy and 
peace be with you in the 
name of God the Father 
and of his Son, Christ 
Jesus, in truth and love.
{I}4_{/}I rejoiced 
greatly on meeting some 
of your children who live 
in accordance with the 
truth, according to the 
command we have received 
from the Father. 
{I}5_{/}And now, I ask 
you, Lady - I write to 
you not a new commandment 
but that which we had 
from the beginning - I 
ask you: let us love one 
another.
{I}6_{/}This is love: to 
walk according to his 
commandments. And this is 
the commandment: that you 
walk in love as you have 
learned from the 
beginning.
{I}7_{/}Many deceivers 
have gone out into the 
world, people who do not 
acknowledge that Jesus is 
the Christ who came in 
the flesh. They are 
impostors and 
antichrists. {I}8_{/}Take 
care of yourselves that 
you do not lose the fruit 
of your labors, but 
receive a perfect reward. 
{I}9_{/}Everyone who goes 
beyond and does not 
remain within the 
teaching of Christ does 
not have God. The one who 
remains in the teaching 
has both the Father and 
the Son. {I}10_{/}If 
anyone comes to you and 
does not bring this 
teaching, do not receive 
him into your houses or 
even greet him. 
{I}11_{/}Even in greeting 
him you would become an 
accomplice in his wicked 
deeds.
{I}12_{/}I have many 
things to write to you, 
but I prefer not to use 
paper and ink. I hope to 
meet you and speak to you 
personally, that our joy 
may be full.
{I}13_{/}The children of 
your chosen sister greet 
you.

