| 1 | The elder to [the] elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only but also all who have known the truth, |
| 2 | for the truth's sake which abides in us and shall be with us to eternity. |
| 3 | Grace shall be with you, mercy, 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 have found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father. |
| 5 | And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we have had from [the] beginning, that we should love one another. |
| 6 | And this is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, according as ye have heard from the beginning, that ye might walk in it. |
| 7 | For many deceivers have gone out into the world, they who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh—this is the deceiver and the antichrist. |
| 8 | See to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages. |
| 9 | Whosoever goes forward and abides not in the doctrine of the Christ has not God. He that abides in the doctrine, he has both the Father and the Son. |
| 10 | If any one come to you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into [the] house, and greet him not; |
| 11 | for he who greets him partakes in his wicked works. |
| 12 | Having many things to write to you, I would not with paper and ink; but hope to come to you, and to speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full. |
| 13 | The children of thine elect sister greet thee. |