1 Presbyter electae dominae et filiis eius, quos ego diligo in veritate, etnon ego solus, sed et omnes, qui noverunt veritatem, | 1 The Elder to the Elect Lady, and those born of her, whom I love in the truth: and not I alone, but also all those who have known the truth, |
2 propter veritatem, quaepermanet in nobis et nobiscum erit in sempiternum. | 2 because the truth which dwells in us shall be with us for eternity. |
3 Erit nobiscum gratia,misericordia, pax a Deo Patre et a Iesu Christo, Filio Patris, in veritate etcaritate.
| 3 May grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus, the Son of the Father, in truth and in love. |
4 Gavisus sum valde, quoniam inveni de filiis tuis ambulantes in veritate, sicutmandatum accepimus a Patre. | 4 I was very glad because I discovered some of your sons walking in the truth, just as we received the commandment from the Father. |
5 Et nunc rogo te, domina, non tamquam mandatumnovum scribens tibi, sed quod habuimus ab initio, ut diligamus alterutrum. | 5 And now I petition you, Lady, not as if writing a new commandment to you, but instead that commandment which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. |
6 Ethaec est caritas, ut ambulemus secundum mandata eius; hoc mandatum est,quemadmodum audistis ab initio, ut in eo ambuletis.
| 6 And this is love: that we walk according to his commandments. For this is the commandment that you have heard in the same way from the beginning, and in which you should walk. |
7 Quoniam multi seductores prodierunt in mundum, qui non confitentur IesumChristum venientem in carne; hic est seductor et antichristus. | 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has arrived in the flesh. Such a one as this is a deceiver and an antichrist. |
8 Videtevosmetipsos, ne perdatis, quae operati estis, sed ut mercedem plenam accipiatis.
| 8 Be cautious for yourselves, lest you lose what you have accomplished, and so that, instead, you may receive a full reward. |
9 Omnis, qui ultra procedit et non manet in doctrina Christi, Deum non habet;qui permanet in doctri na, hic et Patrem et Filium habet. | 9 Everyone who withdraws and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. Whoever remains in the doctrine, such a one as this has both the Father and the Son. |
10 Si quis venit advos et hanc doctrinam non affert, nolite accipere eum in domum nec “ Ave ”ei dixeritis; | 10 If anyone comes to you, and does not bring this doctrine, do not be willing to receive him into the house, and do not speak a greeting to him. |
11 qui enim dicit illi: “ Ave ”, communicat operibus illiusmalignis.
| 11 For whoever speaks a greeting to him, is speaking with his evil works. |
12 Plura habens vobis scribere, nolui per chartam et atramentum; spero enim mefuturum apud vos, et os ad os loqui, ut gaudium nostrum plenum sit.
| 12 I have much more to write to you, but I am not willing to do so through paper and ink. For I hope that I may be with you in the future, and that I may speak face to face, so that your joy may be full. |
13 Salutant te filii sororis tuae electae.
| 13 The sons of your Elect Sister greet you. |