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1 From the elder to God’s chosen woman and her children:I love you all as those who are in the truth. And I’m not the only one, for all who come to know the truth share my love for you

2 because of the living truth that has a permanent home in us and will be with us forever.

3 God our Father and Jesus Christ, his Son, will release to us overflowing grace, mercy, and peace, filled with true love.

4 I was delighted and filled with joy when I learned that your children are consistently living in the truth, just as we have received the command from the Father.

5 Dearest woman, I have a request to make of you. It is not a new commandment but a repetition of the one we have had from the beginning: that we constantly love one another.

6 This love means living in obedience to whatever God commands us. For to walk in love toward one another is the unifying commandment we’ve heard from the beginning.

7 Numerous deceivers have surfaced from among us and gone out into the world, people who will not acknowledge Jesus Christ coming as a man. These deceivers are antichrists!

8 Be on your guard so that you do not lose all that we have diligently worked for but receive a full reward.

9 Anyone who wanders away and does not remain faithful to the teaching of Christ has no relationship with God. But those who remain in the teaching of Christ have a wonderful relationship with both the Father and the Son.

10 So if anyone comes into your fellowship claiming to be a true believer yet doesn’t bring this teaching, you are not to consider him as a fellow believer, nor should you welcome him into your homes.

11 For if you welcome him as a believer, you will be partnering with him in his evil agenda.

12 Although I have many more subjects I’d like to discuss with you, I’d rather not include them in this letter. But I look forward to coming to visit and speaking with you face-to-face — for being together will complete our joy!

13 The children of your sister, whom God has chosen, send you their loving greetings. Amen.