1From:[a] The Elder
To: The chosen lady and her children, whom I genuinely love, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2that is present in us and will be with us forever.
3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus[b] the Messiah, the Father's Son, in truth and love.
4I was overjoyed to find some of your[c] children living truthfully, just as the Father has commanded us. 5Dear lady, I am now requesting of you[d] that we all continue to love one another. It is not as though I am writing to give you[e] a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning. 6And this is what demonstrates[f] love: that we live according to God’s[g] commandments. Just as you[h] have heard from the beginning what he commanded, you[i] must live by it.
7For many deceivers have gone out into the world. They refuse to acknowledge Jesus the Messiah as having become human. Any such person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8See[j] to it that you[k] don't destroy what we have[l] worked for, but that you[m] receive your[n] full reward. 9Everyone who does not remain true to the teaching of the Messiah, but goes beyond it, does not have God. The person who remains true to the teaching of the Messiah has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you[o] but does not present his teachings,[p] do not receive[q] him into your house or even welcome[r] him, 11because the one who welcomes him shares in his evil deeds.
12Although I have a great deal to write to you,[s] I would prefer not to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13The children of your[t] chosen sister greet you.[u]
[a] 1 The Gk. lacks From
[b] 3 Other mss. read the Lord Jesus
[c] 4 Lit. your (singular)
[d] 5 Lit. you (singular)
[e] 5 Lit. you (singular)
[f] 6 The Gk. lacks what demonstrates
[g] 6 Lit. his
[h] 6 Lit. you (plural)
[i] 6 Lit. you (plural)
[j] 8 The Gk. verb is plural
[k] 8 Lit. you (plural)
[l] 8 Other mss. read you have
[m] 8 Lit. you (plural)
[n] 8 Lit. your (plural)
[o] 10 Lit. you (plural)
[p] 10: Lit. this
teaching
[q] 10 The Gk. verb is plural
[r] 10 The Gk. verb is plural
[s] 12 Lit. you (plural)
[t] 13 Lit. you (singular)
[u] 13 Other mss. read you. Amen