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, —

The Elder to the elect lady and her children. Truly I love you all, and not I alone, but also all who 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)

for the sake of the truth which is continually in our hearts and will be with us 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.

Grace, mercy and peace will be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in 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 is an intense joy to me to have found some of your children living true Christian lives, in obedience to the command which we have 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, dear lady, I pray you--writing to you, as I do, not a new command, but the one which we have had from the very beginning--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.

The love of which I am speaking consists in our living in obedience to God's commands. God's command is that you should live in obedience to what you all heard from the very beginning.

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.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world--men who do not acknowledge Jesus as Christ who has come in human nature. Such a one is 'the deceiver' and 'the anti-Christ.'

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

Keep guard over yourselves, so that you may not lose the results of your good deeds, but may receive back a full reward.

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.

No one has God, who instead of remaining true to the teaching of Christ, presses on in advance: but he who remains true to that teaching has 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 who comes to you does not bring this teaching, do not receive him under your roof nor bid him Farewell.

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

He who bids him Farewell is a sharer in his evil deeds.

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.

I have a great deal to say to you all, but will not write it with paper and ink. Yet I hope to come to see you and speak face to face, so that your happiness may be complete.

13 The children of thy chosen sister salute thee.

The children of your elect sister send greetings to you.