Senior Electæ dominæ, et natis ejus, quos ego diligo in veritate, et non ego solus, sed et omnes qui cognoverunt veritatem,

The ancient to the lady Elect, and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,

I, the presbyter, send greeting to that sovereign lady whom God has chosen; and to those children of hers who are my friends in the truth, loved, not by me only, but by all those who have recognized the truth,

propter veritatem, quæ permanet in nobis, et nobiscum erit in æternum.

For the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

for love of that truth which dwells in us, and will be our companion for ever.

Sit vobiscum gratia, misericordia, pax a Deo Patre, et a Christo Jesu Filio Patris in veritate, et caritate.

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father; in truth and charity.

God the Father, and Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, send you grace, mercy and peace in a spirit of truth and love.

Gavisus sum valde, quoniam inveni de filiis tuis ambulantes in veritate, sicut mandatum accepimus a Patre.

I was exceeding glad, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

It has given me great happiness, in meeting some of thy children, to find that they followed the way of truth, obeying the command that came to us from the Father.

Et nunc rogo te domina, non tamquam mandatum novum scribens tibi, sed quod habuimus ab initio, ut diligamus alterutrum.

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

And now, sovereign lady, I have a request to make of thee. It is no new command that my letter brings, only the command we were given from the first; let us all love one another.

Et hæc est caritas, ut ambulemus secundum mandata ejus. Hoc est enim mandatum, ut quemadmodum audistis ab initio, in eo ambuletis.

And this is charity, that we walk according to his commandments. For this is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in the same:

Love means keeping his commandments; love is itself the commandment which our earliest lessons bade us follow.

Quoniam multi seductores exierunt in mundum, qui non confitentur Jesum Christum venisse in carnem: hic est seductor, et antichristus.

For many seducers are gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: this is a seducer and an antichrist.

Many false teachers have appeared in the world, who will not acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in human flesh; here is the deceiver you were warned against, here is Antichrist.

Videte vosmetipsos, ne perdatis quæ operati estis: sed ut mercedem plenam accipiatis.

Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.

Be on your guard, or you will lose all you have earned, instead of receiving your wages in full.

Omnis qui recedit, et non permanet in doctrina Christi, Deum non habet: qui permanet in doctrina, hic et Patrem et Filium habet.

Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son.

The man who goes back, who is not true to Christ’s teaching, loses hold of God; the man who is true to that teaching, keeps hold both of the Father and of the Son.

Si quis venit ad vos, et hanc doctrinam non affert, nolite recipere eum in domum, nec Ave ei dixeritis.

If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house nor say to him, God speed you.

If you are visited by one who does not bring this teaching with him, you must not receive him in your houses, or bid him welcome;

Qui enim dicit illi Ave, communicat operibus ejus malignis.

For he that saith unto him, God speed you, communicateth with his wicked works.

to bid him welcome is to share the guilt of his doings.

Plura habens vobis scribere, nolui per cartam et atramentum: spero enim me futurum apud vos, et os ad os loqui: ut gaudium vestrum plenum sit.

Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and ink: for I hope that I shall be with you, and speak face to face: that your joy may be full.

I might add to this letter, but I have thought it best not to entrust my message to paper and ink; I hope to visit you, and convey it by word of mouth, to give you happiness in full measure.

Salutant te filii sororis tuæ Electæ.

The children of thy sister Elect salute thee.

The children of thy sister, God’s chosen, send thee greeting.