1 a3 John 1; [1 Pet. 5:1] The elder to the elect lady and her children,b1 John 3:18; 3 John 1 whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all whocJohn 8:32; [1 Tim. 2:4; Heb. 10:26] knowdJohn 1:17; 14:6; See Gal. 2:5 the truth, 2 e[1 Cor. 13:6] because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 f1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; [Jude 2] Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
4 g3 John 3, 4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—h1 John 2:7 not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—iSee 1 John 3:11 that we love one another. 6 Andj1 John 5:3; [1 John 2:5]; See John 14:15 this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, justk1 John 2:24 as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 ForlSee 1 John 2:18, 26 many deceiversm1 John 4:1 have gone out into the world,n1 John 2:22; 4:2, 3 those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves,o[Gal. 3:4; Heb. 10:35] so that you may not lose what we have worked for, butpSee 1 Cor. 3:8 may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ,qSee 1 John 2:23 does not have God. Whoever abides in the teachingqSee 1 John 2:23 has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,r[Rom. 16:17; Gal. 1:8, 9; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14; Titus 3:10] do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets hims[1 Tim. 5:22] takes part in his wicked works.
12 t3 John 13 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink.u3 John 14 Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face,vJohn 15:11; 17:13 so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.