2 John 1

1 The Elder to the Elect Lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have come to know the truth.

The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—

2 I love you for the sake of the truth which is abiding in us and will be with us forever. (aiōn g165)

because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: (aiōn g165)

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.

4 I am greatly rejoiced to find some of your children leading their lives in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.

I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.

5 And now I am entreating you, Lady, not as though I were writing some new commandment to you, but one which we have had from the beginning, let us love one another.

And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.

6 And this is love, that we should lead our lives according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should pass your life in love.

And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers are gone forth into the world, those who deny the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have wrought, but that you receive a full reward.

Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.

9 Whoever is going ahead, and is not abiding in the teachings of Christ, does not possess God; but he who is abiding in the teaching possesses both the Father and the Son.

Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.

10 If any one come to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, nor give him any greeting.

If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.

11 For the man who greets him shares in his wicked work.

Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.

12 I have many things to write to you, but I would not write them with paper and ink. I hope to come to you and to talk with you face to face, so that your joy may be full.

I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister send you greeting.

The children of your elect sister send you greetings.