2 John

Salutation

¹The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,^{* 2}because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

³Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from^a Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.^*

Truth and Love

⁴I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. ⁵But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment but one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another.^{* 6}And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.^*

⁷Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist!^{* 8}Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we^b have worked for but may receive a full reward.^{* 9}Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it,^c does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching^d has both the Father and the Son.^{* 10}If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive and welcome this person into your house,^{* 11}for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.^*

Final Greetings

¹²Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead, I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our^e joy may be complete.^*

¹³The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.^f