1. Watch out for false teachers

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 The elder,^a





 


 To the lady chosen by God^b and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth^c — ²because of the truth,^d which lives in us^e and will be with us forever:
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 ³Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ,^f the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
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 ⁴It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth,^g just as the Father commanded us. ⁵And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning.^h I ask that we love one another. ⁶And this is love:ⁱ that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
 ⁷I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ^j as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world.^k Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.^{l 8}Watch out that you do not lose what we^a have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.^{m 9}Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.^{n 10}If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.^{o 11}Anyone who welcomes them shares^p in their wicked work.

2. John's final words

 ¹²I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face,^q so that our joy may be complete.
¹³br> The children of your sister, who is chosen by God,
 ¹³br> The children of your sister, who is chosen by God,^r send their greetings.