1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth;
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,
2 for the truths sake which abideth in us, and it shall be with us for ever:
2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us for ever:
3 Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Fathers Son, in truth and love.
4 I rejoice greatly that I have found (certain) of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.
4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children following the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
5 And now I beg you, lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.
6 And this is love, that we follow his commandments; this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you follow love.
7 For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, (even) they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.
8 Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward.
9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
9 Any one who goes ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son.
10 If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into (your) house, and give him no greeting:
10 If any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting;
11 for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.
11 for he who greets him shares his wicked work.
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not (write them) with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.
12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of thine elect sister salute thee.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.