2 John 1

1 The Elder, unto an elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not, I, alone, but all those also who understand the truth, —

To an eminent Christian Lady, and to her Children, from the Officer of the Church. I sincerely love you all, and not I only, but also all those who have learned to know the Truth.

2 For the sake of the truth that abideth in us, and, with us, shall be unto times age-abiding, (aiōn g165)

We love you for the sake of that Truth which is always in our hearts; yes, and it will be ours for ever. (aiōn g165)

3 Favour, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Blessing, mercy, and peace will be ours — the gift of God, the Father, and of Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son — in a life of truth and love.

4 I rejoiced exceedingly, in that I had found, from among thy children, such as were walking in truth, even as, a commandment, we received from the Father.

It was a great joy to me to find the lives of some of your children guided by the Truth, in obedience to the command that we received from the Father.

5 And, now, I request thee, lady, not as writing, a new commandment, unto thee, but one which we were holding from the beginning—That we should be loving one another.

And now, I pray you, Lady — not as though I were writing a new command for you; no, it is the command which we had from the first — Let us love one another.

6 And, this, is love, that we should be walking according to his commandments: This, is, the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that, therein, ye should be walking.

And this is love — to live in obedience to the Father’s commands. This is the Command as you learned from the first, to live in a spirit of love.

7 Because, 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 say this because many impostors have left us to go into the world — men who do not acknowledge Jesus as Christ come in our human nature. It is that which marks a man as an impostor and an anti-Christ.

8 Be taking heed unto yourselves, lest ye lose what things we earned, —but, a full reward, ye may duly receive.

Take care that you do not lose the fruit of all our work; rather, reap the benefit of it in full.

9 Every one that taketh a lead, and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not, God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same, hath, both the Father and the Son.

Every one who goes beyond the limits of the Teaching of the Christ has failed to find God; the man who keeps to that Teaching — he has found both the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone cometh unto you and, this teaching, doth not bring, be not receiving him home, and, Joy to thee! do not say;

If any one comes to you and does not bring this Teaching, do not receive him into your house or welcome him;

11 For, he that biddeth him rejoice, hath fellowship with his wicked works.

for the man who welcomes him is sharing with him in his wicked work.

12 Though I had many things, unto you, to write, I was not minded [to say them] with paper and ink; but I hope to come unto you, and, mouth to mouth, to talk, —that your joy may be made full.

Though I have a great deal to say to you, I would rather not trust it to paper and ink, but I am hoping to come and see you, and to speak with you face to face, so that your joy may be complete.

13 The children of thy chosen sister salute thee.

The children of your eminent sister send you their greetings.