2 John

Greeting

The Elder: a

To the elect b lady c and her children: I love all of you in the truth—and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth d— 2 because of the truth that remains in us e and will be with us forever.

3 Grace, mercy, and peace f will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son g of the Father, in truth and love. h

Truth and Deception

4 I was very glad to find some of your children * walking in the truth, i in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. 5 So now I urge you, dear lady—not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. j 6 And this is love: k that we walk according to His commands. l This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love. m

7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. n o This is the deceiver and the antichrist. p 8 Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we q have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. r 9 Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching s but goes beyond it, does not have God. t The one who remains u in that teaching, this one has both the Father v and the Son. w 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive x him into your home, and don’t say, “Welcome,” to him; 11 for the one who says, “Welcome,” to him shares y in his evil works. z

Farewell

12 Though I have many things to write to you, a I don’t want to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to be with you and talk face to face b so that our joy c may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister send you greetings.