✧The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth— ✧2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: ✧3Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love. ✧4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us. ✧5And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. ✧6And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love. ✧7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. ✧8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. ✧9Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. ✧10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. ✧11