^[1]  The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

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^[2]  For the truth’s sake, which dwells in us, and shall be with us for ever.

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^[3]  Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

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^[4]  I rejoiced greatly that I found of your children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

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^[5]  And now I beseech you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

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^[6]  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

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^[7]  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

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^[8]  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.

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^[9]  Whoever transgresses, and stays not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that stays in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.

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^[10]  If there come any to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

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^[11]  For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

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^[12]  Having many things to write to you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come to you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

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^[13]  The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

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