1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only but also all who have known the truth, 2 for the truth’s sake which abides in us and shall be with us to eternity. 3 Grace shall be with you, mercy, 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 have found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father.

5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we should love one another. 6 And this is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, according as ye have heard from the beginning, that ye might walk in it.

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, they who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh — this is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 See to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages. 9 Whosoever goes forward and abides not in the doctrine of the Christ has not God. He that abides in the doctrine, he has both the Father and the Son.

10 If any one come to you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into the house, and greet him not; 11 for he who greets him partakes in his wicked works.

12 Having many things to write to you, I would not with paper and ink; but hope to come to you, and to speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of thine elect sister greet thee.

1 Vanemalt,

Jumala valitud naisele ja tema lastele, keda ma armastan tões, ja mitte ainult mina, vaid kõik, kes tunnevad tõde, 2 sest tõde püsib meis ja on meiega igavesti:

3 Arm, halastus ja rahu Jumalalt Isalt ja tema Pojalt Jeesuselt Kristuselt jäägu meiega tões ja armastuses!

4 Ma rõõmustasin väga, et leidsin sinu laste seast neid, kes elavad tões, nii nagu Isa on meid käskinud. 5 Ja nüüd palun ma sind, emand, mitte saates sulle uut käsku, vaid selle, mis on meil algusest peale, et me peame üksteist armastama. 6 Ja see on armastus, et me elame tema käskude järgi. See ongi käsk, mida te olete kuulnud algusest peale, et te elaksite selle järgi.

7 Sest maailma on läinud palju eksitajaid, kes ei tunnista Jeesust Kristust lihasse tulnuna. Iga selline inimene on eksitaja ja antikristus. 8 Vaadake ette, et te ei kaotaks seda, mille nimel me oleme töötanud, vaid et te saaksite kätte kogu tasu. 9 Ühelgi, kes läheb mööda Kristuse õpetusest ega püsi selles, ei ole Jumalat. Kes püsib tema õpetuses, sellel on nii Isa kui ka Poeg. 10 Kui keegi tuleb teie juurde ega too kaasa seda õpetust, siis ärge võtke teda oma koju ja ärge öelge tere tulemast. 11 Sest kes nii teeb, saab kaasosaliseks tema kurjades tegudes.

12 Mul oleks palju teile öelda, aga ma ei taha seda teha paberil ja tindiga, vaid loodan tulla ise teie juurde ja rääkida silmast silma, et meie rõõm saaks olla täielik.

13 Oma tervitused saadavad su Jumala poolt valitud õe lapsed!