2 John 1
1 The elder to [the] elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only but also all who have known the truth,
This letter comes from the elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth. Not just from me, but from everyone who knows the truth,
because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. (aiōn g165)
3 Grace shall be with you, mercy, peace from God [the] Father, and from [the] Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
May grace, mercy and peace continue to be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and in love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father.
I was delighted to discover that some of your children are following the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we have had from [the] beginning, that we should love one another.
Now I'm telling you, dear lady, not as a new instruction, but following what we've understood from the beginning, that we should love one another.
6 And this is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, according as ye have heard from the beginning, that ye might walk in it.
This is what love is: we should follow God's commands. The command, just as you heard right from the beginning, is that you should live in love.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, they who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in flesh — this is the deceiver and the antichrist.
I'm telling you this because many deceivers have left and gone out into the world. They don't accept that Jesus Christ has come as a human being. Anyone like this is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 See to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages.
Be careful that you don't lose what we've worked so hard for, and that you receive all that you should.
9 Whosoever goes forward and abides not in the doctrine of the Christ has not God. He that abides in the doctrine, he has both the Father and the Son.
All those who become extremists and don't continue to follow the teaching of Christ don't have God with them. Those who continue to follow the teaching of Christ have both the Father and the Son with them.
10 If any one come to you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into [the] house, and greet him not;
If people come to you and don't show evidence of Christ's teaching, don't take them in, don't welcome them—
11 for he who greets him partakes in his wicked works.
for if you encourage them you share in their evil work.
12 Having many things to write to you, I would not with paper and ink; but hope to come to you, and to speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.
I have so many things to tell you that I won't write any more with paper and ink, for I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face. How happy that would make us!
13 The children of thine elect sister greet thee.
Greetings to you from the children of your chosen sister.
