2 John 1

1 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.

The elder unto the excellent Lady, and her children, whom I love in truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2 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)

for the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us, and will be with us for ever: (aiōn g165)

3 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.

grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4 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.

I rejoiced greatly that I found among thy children such as walked in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

5 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.

And now I beseech thee, Lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we may love one another.

6 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.

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.

7 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.

For many deceivers are come out into the world, who disown that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist.

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

Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which ye have wrought, but that ye may receive a full reward.

9 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.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: but he, that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son.

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

Now if any one come unto you, and bringeth not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, nor wish him success: for he,

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

that biddeth him welcome, is partaker of his evil deeds.

12 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.

Having many things to write unto you, I would not with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of your eminent sister send you their greetings.

The children of thy elect sister salute thee. Amen.