1:1 From 1 the elder, 2 to an elect lady 3 and her children, whom I love in truth 4 (and not I alone, but also all those 5 who know the truth), 1:2 because of the truth 6 that resides in us and will be with us forever. 1:3 Grace, mercy, and 7 peace will be with us from God the Father and from 8 Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
1:4 I rejoiced greatly because I have found some 9 of your children living according to the truth, 10 just as the Father commanded us. 11
1:5 But now 12 I ask you, lady (not as if I were 13 writing a new commandment 14 to you, but the one 15 we have had from the beginning), 16 that 17 we love one another. 1:6 (Now this is love: that we walk 18 according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus 19 you should walk in it. 20 1:7 For 21 many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as 22 Christ 23 coming in the flesh. 24 This person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 25 1:8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, 26 but receive a full reward. 27
1:9 Everyone 28 who goes on ahead and does not remain 29 in the teaching of Christ 30 does not have God. 31 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, 32 1:11 because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds. 33
1:12 Though I have many other 34 things to write to you, I do not want to do so with 35 paper and ink, 36 but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face, 37 so that our joy may be complete. 38
1:13 The children of your elect sister greet you. 39