1:1 From¹ the elder,² to an elect lady³ and her children, whom I love in truth⁴ (and not I alone, but also all those⁵ who know the truth), 1:2 because of the truth⁶ that resides in us and will be with us forever: 1:3 Grace, mercy, and⁷ 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 rejoiced greatly because I have found some⁸ of your children living according to the truth,⁹ just as the Father commanded us.¹⁰

1:5 But now¹¹ I ask you, lady (not as if I were¹² writing a new commandment¹³ to you,¹⁴ but the one¹⁵ we have had from the beginning),¹⁶ that¹⁷ we love one another. 1:6 (Now this is love: that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus¹⁸ you should walk in it. 1:7 For¹⁹ many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as²⁰ Christ²¹ coming in the flesh.²² This person is the Deceiver and the Antichrist!²³ 1:8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for,²⁴ but receive a full reward.²⁵

1:9 Everyone²⁶ who goes on ahead and does not remain²⁷ in the teaching about Christ does not have God.²⁸ The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting,²⁹ 1:11 because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.³⁰

1:12 Though I have many other³¹ things to write to you, I do not want to do so with³² paper and ink,³³ but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face,³⁴ so that our joy may be complete.³⁵

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