1:1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
1:2 because of the truth which remains in us and will be with us forever:
1:3 Grace, mercy, and 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 was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father.
1:5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you are to walk in it.
1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
1:8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
1:9 ①Anyone who ②goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
▷ ①Lit Everyone ②Lit goes on ahead
1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not ①give him a greeting;
▷ ①Lit say to him
1:11 for the one who ①gives him a greeting ②participates in his evil deeds.
▷ ①Lit says to him ②I.e., shares responsibility for them
1:12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak ①face to face, so that ②your joy may be made complete.
▷ ①Lit mouth to mouth ②One early ms our
1:13 The children of your chosen sister greet you.