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;
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 truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us for ever:
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.
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 rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a 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 a new commandment unto thee, 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 walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, 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 entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an 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 we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we 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 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.
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 there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:
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 biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
11 for he who greets him shares his wicked work.
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.
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 thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.