2 John 1

Greeting

1 *3 John 1;[1 Pet. 5:1] The elder to the elect lady and her children, *1 John 3:18;3 John 1whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who *John 8:32;[1 Tim. 2:4;Heb. 10:26] know *John 1:17;14:6;See Gal. 2:5the truth, 2 *[1 Cor. 13:6]because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 *1 Tim. 1:2;2 Tim. 1:2;[Jude 2]Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

4 *3 John 3,4I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—*1 John 2:7not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—*See 1 John 3:11that we love one another. 6 And *1 John 5:3;[1 John 2:5]; See John 14:15this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just *1 John 2:24as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For *See 1 John 2:18,26many deceivers *1 John 4:1have gone out into the world, *1 John 2:22;4:2,3those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, *[Gal. 3:4;Heb. 10:35] so that you may not lose what we*8 Some manuscripts you have worked for, but *See 1 Cor. 3:8may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, *See 1 John 2:23does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching *See 1 John 2:23has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, *[Rom. 16:17;Gal. 1:8,9;2 Thess. 3:6,14;Titus 3:10]do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him *[1 Tim. 5:22]takes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

12 *3 John 13Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. *3 John 14Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, *John 15:11;17:13so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.