2 John
New Testament for Everyone
The sign of life
1 From the Elder to the Chosen Lady and her children, whom I love in truth—as indeed, in addition to myself, do all those who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and is with us forever. 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the father and from Jesus the Messiah, the son of the father, be with us in truth and love.
4 I was delighted when I found some of your children walking in the truth, just as we received the commandment from the father. 5 And now, dear Lady, I am writing to you, not indeed a new commandment, but the one we had from the very beginning, that we should love one another. 6 This is love: that we should behave in accordance with his commandments. And this is the commandment, just as you heard it from the very start, that we should behave in accordance with it.
Don’t be deceived!
7 Many deceivers, you see, have gone out into the world. These are people who do not admit that Jesus the Messiah has come in the flesh. Such a person is the Deceiver—the Antimessiah! 8 Watch out for yourselves, so that you won’t lose what we have worked for, but may receive the full reward.
9 Anyone who goes out on their own, and does not abide in the teaching of the Messiah, does not have God. One who abides in the teaching—such a one has the father and the son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, don’t receive them into the house; don’t even give them a greeting. 11 Anyone who utters a greeting to such a person shares in their wicked deeds.
12 I have many things to write to you, but I did not wish to write with pen and ink. I am hoping instead to come to you, and to speak face to face. That will complete our joy.
13 The children of your Chosen Sister send you greetings.
2 John
New American Standard Bible
Walk According to His Commandments
1 (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, 2 (F)because of the truth which remains (G)in us and will be (H)with us forever: 3 (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.
4 (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. 5 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. 6 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.
7 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. 8 (V)Watch yourselves, (W)that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 [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
- 2 John 1:9 Lit Everyone
- 2 John 1:9 Lit goes on ahead
- 2 John 1:10 Lit say to him
- 2 John 1:11 Lit says to him
- 2 John 1:11 I.e., shares responsibility for them
- 2 John 1:12 Lit mouth to mouth
- 2 John 1:12 One early ms our
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

