1:1 我长老致书给蒙选的主母和她的子女，就是我在真理内所爱的，不但我一个人，而且也是所有认识真理的人所爱的；
The Presbyter to the chosen Lady and to her children whom I love in truth ?and not only I but also all who know the truth ? 1:2 这爱的因由，就是那存在我们内，并永远与我们同在的真理。
because of the truth that dwells in us and will be with us forever. 1:3 愿恩宠、仁爱与平安由天主父及天父之子耶稣基督，在真理与爱情内与我们同在。
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son in truth and love. 1:4 我很喜欢，因为我遇见了你的一些子女，照我们由天父所领受的命令，在真理内生活。
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father. 1:5 主母，我现在请求你，我们应该彼此相爱；这不是我写给你的一条新命令，而是我们从起初就有的命令。
But now, Lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing a new commandment but the one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another. 1:6 我们按照他的命令生活，这就是爱；你们应在爱中生活，这就是那命令，正如你们从起初听过的。
For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, in which you should walk. 1:7 的确，有许多迷惑人的，来到了世界上，他们不承认耶稣基督是在肉身内降世的；这样的人就是迷惑人的，就是假基督。
Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist. 1:8 你们要谨慎，不要丧失你们劳苦所得的，反要领受圆满的赏报。
Look to yourselves that you do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense. 1:9 凡是越规而不存在基督道理内的，就没有天主；那存在这道理内的，这人有父也有子。
Anyone who is so "progressive" as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son. 1:10 若有人来到你们中，不带着这个道理，你们不要接他到家中，也不要向他请安，
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him; 1:11 因为谁若向他请安，就是有分於他的邪恶工作。
for whoever greets him shares in his evil works. 1:12 虽然我还有许多事，要写给你们，但我不愿意用纸用墨，只希望到你们那里去，亲口面谈，好使我们的喜乐圆满无缺。
Although I have much to write to you, I do not intend to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and to speak face to face so that our joy may be complete. 1:13 你那蒙选的姊妹的子女问候你。
The children of your chosen sister send you greetings.