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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, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever.3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from [[the Lord]]a Jesus Christ,b the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I ask 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.
6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers {have gone out}c into the world, those who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; this is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Watch yourselves, so that [you]d may not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.
9 Everyone who {goes ahead}e and does not abide in the teaching of Christf does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching [[of Christ]]g has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting; 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
12 Having much to write to you, I did not want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that {our}h joy may be complete.
13 The children of your chosen sister greet you. [[Amen]]i