1:1The elder unto the electlady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but alsoall they that have known the truth; 1:2For the truth’s sake, whichdwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 1:3Grace be with you, mercy,and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, theSon of the Father, in truth and love.
1:4I rejoiced greatly thatI found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received acommandment from the Father. 1:5And now I beseech thee, lady, notas though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had fromthe beginning, that we love one another. 1:6And this is love, that we walkafter his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heardfrom the beginning, ye should walk in it. 1:7For many deceivers are enteredinto the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 1:8Look to yourselves, that we losenot those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 1:9Whosoever transgresseth,and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abidethin the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 1:10If there come any unto you, andbring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neitherbid him God speed: 1:11For hethat biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
1:12Having many things towrite unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trustto come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 1:13The children of thy electsister greet thee. Amen. Authorized King James Version, originally published by Oxford Press, Oxford, 1769