2 John 1
Introduction and Thanksgiving
1 Fromt the elder,ts to an elect ladyts and her children, whom I love in trutht (and not I alone, but also all thoses who know the truth),2 because of the truthss that resides in us and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, andt peace will be with us from God the Father and froms Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly because I have found somet of your children living according to the truth,s just as the Father commanded us.t
Warning Against False Teachers
5 But nowt I ask you, lady (not as if I weret writing a new commandments to you, but the onet we have had from the beginning),s thatt we love one another.6 (Now this is love: that we walkt according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thust you should walk in it.t7 Fort many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus ast Christt coming in the flesh.t This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!s
8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for,s but receive a full reward.s
9 Everyonet who goes on ahead and does not remaint in the teaching of Christt does not have God.s The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son.10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting,s
11 because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.s
Conclusion
12 Though I have many othert things to write to you, I do not want to do so witht paper and ink,s but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face,t so that our joy may be complete.t
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.s
2 John 1
1 From the Elder— To the dear Lady and to her children,t whom I truly love. And I am not the only one, but all who know the truth love you,
2 because the truth remains in us and will be with us forever.
3 May God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, give us grace, mercy, and peace; may they be ours in truth and love.
Truth and Love
4 How happy I was to find that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And so I ask you, dear Lady: let us all love one another. This is no new command I am writing you; it is the command which we have had from the beginning.
6 This love I speak of means that we must live in obedience to God's commands. The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love.
7 Many deceivers have gone out over the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and the Enemy of Christ.
8 Be on your guard, then, so that you will not lose what wet have worked for, but will receive your reward in full.
9 Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 So then, if some come to you who do not bring this teaching, do not welcome them in your homes; do not even say, “Peace be with you.”
11 For anyone who wishes them peace becomes their partner in the evil things they do.
Final Words
12 I have so much to tell you, but I would rather not do it with paper and ink; instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you personally, so that we shall be completely happy.
13 The children of your dear Sistert send you their greetings.