1•1The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who have come to know the truth, •2because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

•3Grace, mercy, [and] peace will be with us, from God the Father and from¹ Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

•4I rejoiced greatly that I have found [some] of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment from the Father. •5And now I request of you, lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning, that we keep loving one another. •6And this is love, that we keep walking in accordance with his commandments; this is the commandment, just as †you have heard from the beginning, that †you should keep walking in it.

•7[That is] because many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; this [kind of person] is the deceiver and the antichrist. •8Look out with regard to †yourselves, that †you may not lose what we² have worked for, but may receive a full reward. •9Anyone who goes too far³ and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching⁴ has both the Father and the Son. •10If anyone comes to †you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into the house and do not [even] say "hello"⁵ to him. •11For the one who says "hello"⁵ to him shares in his evil works.

•12Although I have many things to write to †you, I did not want [to do so] with paper and ink, but I am hoping to come to †you and speak [with †you] face to face,⁶ so that our⁷ joy may be made full.

•13The children of your chosen sister greet you.⁸