1The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, 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 will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

4I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.

5And now I ask you, dear lady--not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the 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 commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.