1
My dear congregation, I, your pastor, love you in very truth. And I'm not alone - everyone who knows the Truth
2
that has taken up permanent residence in us loves you.
3
Let grace, mercy, and peace be with us in truth and love from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, Son of the Father!
4
I can't tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father.
5
But permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new commandment but simply a repetition of our original and basic charter: that we love each other.
6
Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed.
7
There are a lot of smooth-talking charlatans loose in the world who refuse to believe that Jesus Christ was truly human, a flesh-and-blood human being. Give them their true title: Deceiver! Antichrist!
8
And be very careful around them so you don't lose out on what we've worked so diligently in together; I want you to get every reward you have coming to you.