King James Version
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;
2 For the truth's
sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall 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.
4 I rejoiced
greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a
commandment from 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.
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.
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.
8 Look to
yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we
receive 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.
10 ¶ If there come any unto you, and bring not this
doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that
biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
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.
13 The children
of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.