1:1  The Elder,To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,

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

1:3  Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

1:4  I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

1:5  And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.

1:6  This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

1:7  For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

1:8  Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

1:9  Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

1:10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;

1:11  for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

1:12  Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

1:13  The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.