Greetings from John
1 From:[a] The Elder
To: The chosen lady and her children, whom I genuinely love, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 that is present in us and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus[b] the Messiah,[c] the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
Living in the Truth
4 I was overjoyed to find some of your[d] children living truthfully, just as the Father has commanded us. 5 Dear lady, I am now requesting of you[e] that we all continue to love one another. It is not as though I am writing to give you[f] a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning. 6 And this is what demonstrates[g] love: that we live according to God’s[h] commandments. Just as you[i] have heard from the beginning what he commanded, you[j] must live by it.
Reject False Teachers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world. They refuse to acknowledge Jesus the Messiah[k] as having become human. Any such person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 See[l] to it that you[m] don’t destroy what we have[n] worked for, but that you[o] receive your[p] full reward. 9 Everyone who does not remain true to the teaching of the Messiah,[q] but goes beyond it, does not have God. The person who remains true to the teaching of the Messiah[r] has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you[s] but does not present his teachings,[t] do not receive[u] him into your house or even welcome[v] him, 11 because the one who welcomes him shares in his evil deeds.
Final Greeting
12 Although I have a great deal to write to you,[w] I would prefer not to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your[x] chosen sister greet you.[y]
Footnotes
- 2 John 1:1 The Gk. lacks From
- 2 John 1:3 Other mss. read the Lord Jesus
- 2 John 1:3 Or Christ
- 2 John 1:4 Lit. your (sing.)
- 2 John 1:5 Lit. you (sing.)
- 2 John 1:5 Lit. you (sing.)
- 2 John 1:6 The Gk. lacks what demonstrates
- 2 John 1:6 Lit. his
- 2 John 1:6 Lit. you (pl.)
- 2 John 1:6 Lit. you (pl.)
- 2 John 1:7 Or Christ
- 2 John 1:8 The Gk. verb is pl.
- 2 John 1:8 Lit. you (pl.)
- 2 John 1:8 Other mss. read you have
- 2 John 1:8 Lit. you (pl.)
- 2 John 1:8 Lit. your (pl.)
- 2 John 1:9 Or Christ
- 2 John 1:9 Or Christ
- 2 John 1:10 Lit. you (pl.)
- 2 John 1:10 Lit. this teaching
- 2 John 1:10 The Gk. verb is pl.
- 2 John 1:10 The Gk. verb is pl.
- 2 John 1:12 Lit. you (pl.)
- 2 John 1:13 Lit. you (sing.)
- 2 John 1:13 Other mss. read you. Amen