1:1  The elder,
To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth -

1:2  because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

1:3  Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.

1:4  It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

1:5  And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

1:6  And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

1:7  Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

1:8  Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

1:9  Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

1:10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.

1:11  Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

1:12  I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

1:13  The children of your chosen sister send their greetings.