2 John 1

Modern

Literal

A Greeting from the Elder

¹The 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—

¹The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those having known the truth—

²because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

²because of the truth remaining in us and that will be with us to the age:

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

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

Walking in the Truth

⁴I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.

⁴I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, just as we received a commandment from the Father.

⁵And 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.

⁵And now I implore you, lady, not as writing to you a new commandment, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we should love one another.

⁶And 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.

⁶And this is love, that we should walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

Beware of Deceivers

⁷For 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.

⁷For many deceivers went out into the world, those not confessing Jesus Christ coming in flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

⁸Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for,^a but that you may be fully rewarded.

⁸Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what things we worked for, but you may receive a full reward.

⁹Anyone 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.

⁹Everyone going on ahead and not remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one remaining in the teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son.

¹⁰If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.

¹⁰If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into the house, and do not speak to him to greet him.

¹¹Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.

¹¹For the one speaking to him to greet him partakes in his evil works.

Conclusion

¹²I 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,^a so that our joy may be complete.

¹²Having many things to write to you, I intended not with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and to speak mouth to mouth, so that our joy may be full.

¹³The children of your elect sister send you greetings.^a

¹³The children of your chosen sister greet you.