2 John - Chapter 1

1 The 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;

1 I, a ruler in the church, send word to the noble sister who is of God's selection, and to her children, for whom I have true love; and not only I, but all who have knowledge of what is true;

2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

2 Because of this true knowledge which is in us, and will be with us for ever:

3 Grace 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.

3 May grace, mercy, and peace be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in all true love.

4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

4 It gave me great joy to see some of your children walking in the true way, even as we were ordered to do by the Father.

5 And 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.

5 And now, my sister, I make a request to you, not sending you a new law, but the law which we had from the first, that we have love for one another.

6 And 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.

6 And love is the keeping of his laws. This is the law which was given to you from the first, so that you might keep it.

7 For 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.

7 Because a number of false teachers have gone out into the world, who do not give witness that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Such a one is a false teacher and Antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

8 Keep watch over yourselves, so that you do not make our work of no effect, but may get your full reward.

9 Whosoever 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.

9 Anyone who goes on and does not keep to the teaching of Christ, has not God: he who keeps to the teaching has the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

10 If anyone comes to you not having this teaching, do not take him into your house or give him words of love:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

11 For he who gives him words of love has a part in his evil works.

12 Having 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.

12 Having much to say to you, it is not my purpose to put it all down with paper and ink: but I am hoping to come to you, and to have talk with you face to face, so that your joy may be full.

13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

13 The children of your noble sister, who is of God's selection, send you their love.