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-- |
2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: |
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. |
4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. |
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. |
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. |
11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. |
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. |
13 The children of your chosen sister send their greetings. |