Walk According to His Commandments

(A)The elder to the (B)chosen (C)lady and her children, whom I (D)love in truth; and not only I, but also all who (E)know the truth, (F)because of the truth which remains (G)in us and will be (H)with us forever: (I)Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

(J)I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father. Now I ask you, lady, (K)not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had (L)from the beginning, that we (M)love one another. And (N)this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, (O)just as you have heard (P)from the beginning, that you are to walk in it.

For (Q)many deceivers have (R)gone out into the world, those who (S)do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is (T)the deceiver and the (U)antichrist. (V)Watch yourselves, (W)that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. [a]Anyone who [b]goes too far and (X)does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, (Y)do not receive him into your house, and do not [c]give him a greeting; 11 for the one who [d]gives him a greeting [e](Z)participates in his evil deeds.

12 (AA)Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak [f]face to face, so that [g]your (AB)joy may be made complete.

13 The children of your (AC)chosen sister greet you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:9 Lit Everyone
  2. 2 John 1:9 Lit goes on ahead
  3. 2 John 1:10 Lit say to him
  4. 2 John 1:11 Lit says to him
  5. 2 John 1:11 I.e., shares responsibility for them
  6. 2 John 1:12 Lit mouth to mouth
  7. 2 John 1:12 One early ms our

Salutation

The 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,(A) because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from[a] Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.(B)

Truth and Love

I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. But 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.(C) 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.(D)

Many 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!(E) Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we[b] have worked for but may receive a full reward.(F) 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.(G) 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive and welcome this person into your house,(H) 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.(I)

Final Greetings

12 Although 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.(J)

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

Footnotes

  1. 3 Other ancient authorities add the Lord
  2. 8 Other ancient authorities read you
  3. 9 Other ancient authorities read turns aside
  4. 9 Other ancient authorities add of Christ
  5. 12 Other ancient authorities read your
  6. 13 Other ancient authorities add Amen

The ancient to the lady Elect, and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,

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

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father; in truth and charity.

I was exceeding glad, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

And this is charity, that we walk according to his commandments. For this is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in the same:

For many seducers are gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: this is a seducer and an antichrist.

Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.

Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house nor say to him, God speed you.

11 For he that saith unto him, God speed you, communicateth with his wicked works.

12 Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and ink: for I hope that I shall be with you, and speak face to face: that your joy may be full.

13 The children of thy sister Elect salute thee.