2 John 1

Introduction and Thanksgiving

1:1 From¹ the elder,² to an elect lady³ and her children, whom I love in truth⁴ (and not I alone, but also all those⁵ who know the truth), 1:2 because of the truth⁶ that resides in us and will be with us forever. 1:3 Grace, mercy, and⁷ peace will be with us from God the Father and from⁸ Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

1:4 I rejoiced greatly because I have found some⁹ of your children living according to the truth,¹⁰ just as the Father commanded us.¹¹

Warning Against False Teachers

1:5 But now¹² I ask you, lady (not as if I were¹³ writing a new commandment¹⁴ to you, but the one¹⁵ we have had from the beginning),¹⁶ that¹⁷ we love one another. 1:6 (Now this is love: that we walk¹⁸ according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus¹⁹ you should walk in it.²⁰ 1:7 For²¹ many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as²² Christ²³ coming in the flesh.²⁴ This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!²⁵ 1:8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for,²⁶ but receive a full reward.²⁷

1:9 Everyone²⁸ who goes on ahead and does not remain²⁹ in the teaching of Christ³⁰ does not have God.³¹ The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting,³² 1:11 because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.³³

Conclusion

1:12 Though I have many other³⁴ things to write to you, I do not want to do so with³⁵ paper and ink,³⁶ but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face,³⁷ so that our joy may be complete.³⁸

1:13 The children of your elect sister greet you.³⁹