1:1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth;
1:2 for the truth's sake which stays in us, and it will be with us forever:
1:3 Grace, mercy, peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
1:4 I rejoice greatly that I have found [certain] of your children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.
1:5 And now I urge you, lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
1:6 And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you+ heard from the beginning, that you+ should walk in it.
1:7 For many deceivers have gone forth into the world: those who do not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
1:8 Look to yourselves, that you+ don't lose the things which we have worked for, but that you+ receive a full reward.
1:9 Whoever goes onward and doesn't stay in the teaching of Christ, doesn't have God: he who stays in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.
1:10 If anyone comes to you+, and doesn't bring this teaching, don't receive him into [your+] house, and give him no greeting:
1:11 for he who gives him greeting shares in his evil works.
1:12 Having many things to write to you+, I would not [write them] with paper and ink: but I hope to come to you+, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.
1:13 The children of your elect sister greet you.