Dual Panel1THIS letter comes from the Elder to a lady chosen by God and her children, held in the highest affection not only by me but by all who know the truth.
2For that truth's sake (which even now we know and which will be our companion for ever)
3I wish you, in all love and sincerity, grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father's Son.
4I was overjoyed to find some of your children living the life of truth, as the Father himself instructed us.
5I beg you now, dear lady: not as though I were issuing any new order but simply reminding you of the original one, to see that we continue to love one another.
6Real love means obeying the Father's orders, and you have known from the beginning that you must live in obedience to him.
7For the world is becoming full of impostorsmen who will not admit that Jesus the Christ really became man. Now this is the very spirit of deceit and is antiChrist.
8Take care of yourselves; don't throw away all the labour that has been spent on you, but persevere till you receive your full reward.
9The man who is so "advanced" that he is not content with what Christ taught, has in fact no God. The man who bases his life on Christ's teaching, however, has both the Father and the Son.
10If any teacher comes to you who is disloyal to what Christ taught, don't have him inside your house; don't even greet him.
11For to greet such a man is to share in the evil that he is doing.
12I have a lot that I could write to you, but I find it hard to put down on paper. I hope to come and see you personally, and we will have a hearttoheart talk togetherand how we shall enjoy that!
13The children of your sister, chosen by God, send their love.