1The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, (Joh 1:17; Joh 8:32; Joh 14:6; Ga 2:5; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 10:26; 1Pe 5:1; 1Jo 3:18; 3Jo 1:1)2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: (1Co 13:6)3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. (1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2; Jud 1:2)
Walking in Truth and Love
4I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. (3Jo 1:3)5And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. (1Jo 2:7; 1Jo 3:11)6And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. (Joh 14:15; 1Jo 2:5; 1Jo 2:24; 1Jo 5:3)7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. (1Jo 2:18; 1Jo 2:22; 1Jo 2:26; 1Jo 4:1; 1Jo 4:2)8Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we[1] have worked for, but may win a full reward. (1Co 3:8; Ga 3:4; Heb 10:35)9Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (1Jo 2:23)10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, (Ro 16:17; Ga 1:8; 2Th 3:6; 2Th 3:14; Tit 3:10)11for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. (1Ti 5:22)
Final Greetings
12Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (Joh 15:11; Joh 17:13; 3Jo 1:13; 3Jo 1:14)13The children of your elect sister greet you.
2 John 1
New International Version
from Biblica1The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth – and not I only, but also all who know the truth –2because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us for ever:3Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.4It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.5And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.6And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.7I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.8Watch out that you do not lose what we[1] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.9Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.11Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.12I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.13The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.
2 John 1
King James Version
1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;2For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
2 John 1
New International Reader’s Version
from Biblica1I, the elder, am writing this letter. I am sending it to the lady chosen by God and to her children. I love all of you because of the truth. I’m not the only one who loves you. So does everyone who knows the truth.2I love you because of the truth that is alive in us. This truth will be with us for ever.3God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son will give you grace, mercy and peace. These blessings will be with us because we love the truth.4It has given me great joy to find some of your children living by the truth. That’s just what the Father commanded us to do.5Dear lady, I’m not writing you a new command. I’m writing a command we’ve had from the beginning. I’m asking that we love one another.6The way we show our love is to obey God’s commands. He commands you to lead a life of love. That’s what you have heard from the beginning.7I say this because many people have tried to fool others. These people have gone out into the world. They don’t agree that Jesus Christ came in a human body. People like this try to trick others. These people are like the great enemy of Christ.8Watch out that you don’t lose what we have worked for. Make sure that you get your full reward.9Suppose someone thinks they know more than we do. So they don’t follow Christ’s teaching. Then that person doesn’t belong to God. But whoever follows Christ’s teaching belongs to the Father and the Son.10Suppose someone comes to you and doesn’t teach these truths. Then don’t take them into your house or welcome them.11Anyone who welcomes them shares in their evil work.12I have a lot to write to you. But I don’t want to use paper and ink. I hope I can visit you instead. Then I can talk with you face to face. That will make our joy complete.13The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.