1 The elder unto 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; 2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 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.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 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. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
1 我这作长老的， 写信给蒙拣选的夫人和她的儿女。你们是我在真理中所爱的； 不单是我， 凡认识真理的，
2 也因为真理的缘故爱你们。这真理在我们里面， 也必与我们同在， 直到永远。
3 愿恩惠、怜悯、平安， 从父 神和他儿子耶稣基督在真理和爱中与我们同在。
4 我看见你的儿女中， 有人照着我们从父领受的命令在真理中行事， 我就非常欣慰。
5 夫人哪， 我现在请求你， 我们要彼此相爱。我写给你的， 不是一条新命令， 而是我们从起初就有的。
6 我们要照着他的命令行事， 这就是爱。你们从起初所听见的那命令， 就是要你们凭着爱心行事。
7 有许多欺骗人的已经在世上出现， 他们否认耶稣基督是成了肉身来的； 这就是那骗人的和敌基督的。
8 你们要小心， 不要拆毁我们已经完成的工作， 却要得着美满的赏赐。
9 凡越过基督的教训又不持守的， 就没有 神； 持守这教训的， 就有父和子了。
10 如果有人到你们那里， 不传这教训， 你们就不要接待他到家里， 也不要问候他；
11 因为问候他的， 就在他的恶事上有分了。
12 我还有许多话要写给你们， 可是我不想借用纸墨， 只是盼望到你们那里当面谈谈， 好让我们的喜乐充足。
13 你那蒙拣选的姊妹的儿女都问候你。