2 John

The elder,^a

To the lady chosen by God^b and to her children, whom I love in the truth^c—and not I only, but also all who know the truth^d— because of the truth,^e which lives in us^f and will be with us forever:

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

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth,^h just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning.ⁱ I ask that we love one another. And this is love:^j that we walk in obedience to his commands.^k As you have heard from the beginning,^l his command is that you walk in love.

Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ^m as coming in the flesh,ⁿ have gone out into the world.^o Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.^p Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.^q Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ^r does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.^s If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.^t Anyone who welcomes them shares^u in their wicked work.

I 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,^v so that our joy may be complete.^w

The children of your sister, who is chosen by God,^x send their greetings.