| 1 | The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; |
| 2 | For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever. |
| 3 | Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. |
| 4 | I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. |
| 5 | And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. |
| 6 | And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. |
| 7 | For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. |
| 8 | Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. |
| 9 | Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. |
| 10 | If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: |
| 11 | For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds. |
| 12 | Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. |
| 13 | The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. |