1:1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,
1:1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,

1:2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us for ever:
1:2 because of the truth that abides 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 Father's Son, in truth and love.
1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, in truth and love.

1:4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children following the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.
1:4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.

1:5 And now I beg you, lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
1:5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another.

1:6 And this is love, that we follow his commandments; this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you follow love.
1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning--you must walk in it.

1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
1:7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist!

1:8 Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward.
1:8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.

1:9 Any one who goes ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son.
1:9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

1:10 If any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting;
1:10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching;

1:11 for he who greets him shares his wicked work.
1:11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

1:12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
1:12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

1:13 The children of your elect sister greet you.
1:13 The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.