1 Walk in Truth and Love The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy,andpeace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly to findsomeof your children walking in truth, just as we received commandment from the Father.
5 Now I ask you, lady, not as thoughI werewriting to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess Jesus Christascoming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 See to yourselves, that you do not lose what we accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
9 1:9 Lit Everyone Anyone who 1:9 Lit goes on ahead goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. The one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him intoyourhouse, and do not give him a greeting,
11 for the one who gives him a greeting 1:11 Lit fellowships participates in his evil deeds.
12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want todo sowith paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that 1:12One early ms our your joy may be made complete.