1 I, a ruler in the church, send word to the noble sister who is of God's selection, and to her children, for whom I have true love; and not only I, but all who have knowledge of what is true;
2 Because of this true knowledge which is in us, and will be with us for ever:
3 May grace, mercy, and peace be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in all true love.
4 It gave me great joy to see some of your children walking in the true way, even as we were ordered to do by the Father.
5 And now, my sister, I make a request to you, not sending you a new law, but the law which we had from the first, that we have love for one another.
6 And love is the keeping of his laws. This is the law which was given to you from the first, so that you might keep it.
7 Because a number of false teachers have gone out into the world, who do not give witness that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Such a one is a false teacher and Antichrist.
8 Keep watch over yourselves, so that you do not make our work of no effect, but may get your full reward.
9 Anyone who goes on and does not keep to the teaching of Christ, has not God: he who keeps to the teaching has the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you not having this teaching, do not take him into your house or give him words of love:
11 For he who gives him words of love has a part in his evil works.
12 Having much to say to you, it is not my purpose to put it all down with paper and ink: but I am hoping to come to you, and to have talk with you face to face, so that your joy may be full.
13 The children of your noble sister, who is of God's selection, send you their love.
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。