1From the Elder —

To the dear Lady and to her children,v.1 lady and… her children: This probably refers to a church and its members (also in verses 4–5). whom I truly love. And I am not the only one, but all who know the truth love you, 2because the truth remains in us and will be with us for ever.

3May God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, give us grace, mercy, and peace; may they be ours in truth and love.

Truth and Love

4How happy I was to find that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5v.5: Jn 13.34; 15.12, 17And so I ask you, dear Lady: let us all love one another. This is no new command I am writing to you; it is the command which we have had from the beginning. 6This love I speak of means that we must live in obedience to God's commands. The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love.

7Many deceivers have gone out all over the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and the Enemy of Christ. 8Be on your guard, then, so that you will not lose what wev.8 we; some manuscripts have you. have worked for, but will receive your reward in full.

9Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10So then, if someone comes to you who does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him or her in your homes; do not even say, “Peace be with you.” 11For anyone who wishes them peace becomes their partner in the evil things they do.

Final Words

12I have so much to tell you, but I would rather not do it with paper and ink; instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you personally, so that we shall be completely happy.

13The children of your dear Sisterv.13 children of your dear sister: This probably refers to the members of the church to which the writer belonged. send you their greetings.