That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched(A)

That (B)which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have (C)seen with our eyes, (D)which we have looked upon, and (E)our hands have handled, concerning the (F)Word of life— (G)the life (H)was manifested, and we have seen, (I)and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was (J)with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is (K)with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you (L)that [a]your joy may be full.

Fellowship with Him and One Another

(M)This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that (N)God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (O)If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we (P)walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and (Q)the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we (R)confess our sins, He is (S)faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to (T)cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we (U)make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

The Test of Knowing Christ

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, (V)we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And (W)He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but (X)also for the whole world.

The Test of Knowing Him

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a (Y)liar, and the truth is not in him. But (Z)whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God [b]is perfected (AA)in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (AB)He who says he abides in Him (AC)ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

[c]Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (AD)from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard [d]from the beginning. Again, (AE)a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, (AF)because the darkness is passing away, and (AG)the true light is already shining.

(AH)He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 (AI)He who loves his brother abides in the light, and (AJ)there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who (AK)hates his brother is in darkness and (AL)walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Their Spiritual State

12 I write to you, little children,
Because (AM)your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is (AN)from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have (AO)known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because (AP)you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.

Do Not Love the World

15 (AQ)Do not love the world or the things in the world. (AR)If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, (AS)the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And (AT)the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Deceptions of the Last Hour

18 (AU)Little children, (AV)it is the last hour; and as you have heard that (AW)the[e] Antichrist is coming, (AX)even now many antichrists have come, by which we know (AY)that it is the last hour. 19 (AZ)They went out from us, but they were not of us; for (BA)if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out (BB)that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

20 But (BC)you have an anointing (BD)from the Holy One, and (BE)you[f] know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 (BF)Who is a liar but he who denies that (BG)Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 (BH)Whoever denies the Son does not have the (BI)Father either; (BJ)he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Let Truth Abide in You

24 Therefore let that abide in you (BK)which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, (BL)you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 (BM)And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to [g]deceive you. 27 But the (BN)anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and (BO)you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing (BP)teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you [h]will abide in Him.

The Children of God

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that [i]when He appears, we may have (BQ)confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 (BR)If you know that He is righteous, you know that (BS)everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

The Command to Love

Behold (BT)what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that (BU)we should be called children of [j]God! Therefore the world does not know [k]us, (BV)because it did not know Him. Beloved, (BW)now we are children of God; and (BX)it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, (BY)we shall be like Him, for (BZ)we shall see Him as He is. (CA)And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Sin and the Child of God

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and (CB)sin is lawlessness. And you know (CC)that He was manifested (CD)to take away our sins, and (CE)in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. (CF)He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, (CG)that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been (CH)born of God does not sin, for (CI)His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

The Imperative of Love(CJ)

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, (CK)that we should love one another, 12 not as (CL)Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if (CM)the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [l]his brother abides in death. 15 (CN)Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that (CO)no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The Outworking of Love

16 (CP)By this we know love, (CQ)because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But (CR)whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, (CS)let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we [m]know (CT)that we are of the truth, and shall [n]assure our hearts before Him. 20 (CU)For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, (CV)we have confidence toward God. 22 And (CW)whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments (CX)and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ (CY)and love one another, as He gave [o]us commandment.

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

24 Now (CZ)he who keeps His commandments (DA)abides in Him, and He in him. And (DB)by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Love for God and One Another

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but (DC)test the spirits, whether they are of God; because (DD)many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: (DE)Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess [p]that Jesus [q]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than (DF)he who is in the world. (DG)They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and (DH)the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. (DI)By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Knowing God Through Love(DJ)

(DK)Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who (DL)loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (DM)In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten (DN)Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, (DO)not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son (DP)to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, (DQ)if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Seeing God Through Love

12 (DR)No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 (DS)By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And (DT)we have seen and testify that (DU)the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 (DV)Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and (DW)he who abides in love abides in God, and God (DX)in him.

The Consummation of Love

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that (DY)we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 (DZ)We love [r]Him because He first loved us.

Obedience by Faith

20 (EA)If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [s]how can he love God (EB)whom he has not seen? 21 And (EC)this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Obedience by Faith

Whoever believes that (ED)Jesus is the Christ is (EE)born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and (EF)keep His commandments. (EG)For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And (EH)His commandments are not burdensome. For (EI)whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that (EJ)has overcome the world—[t]our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but (EK)he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

The Certainty of God’s Witness

This is He who came (EL)by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. (EM)And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness [u]in heaven: the Father, (EN)the Word, and the Holy Spirit; (EO)and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: (EP)the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

If we receive (EQ)the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; (ER)for this is the witness of [v]God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God (ES)has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God (ET)has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 (EU)He who has the Son has [w]life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [x]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Confidence and Compassion in Prayer

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that (EV)if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and (EW)He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. (EX)There is sin leading to death. (EY)I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 (EZ)All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

Knowing the True—Rejecting the False

18 We know that (FA)whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God (FB)keeps[y] [z]himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

19 We know that we are of God, and (FC)the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

20 And we know that the (FD)Son of God has come and (FE)has given us an understanding, (FF)that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. (FG)This is the true God (FH)and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 1:4 NU, M our
  2. 1 John 2:5 has been completed
  3. 1 John 2:7 NU Beloved
  4. 1 John 2:7 NU omits from the beginning
  5. 1 John 2:18 NU omits the
  6. 1 John 2:20 NU you all know.
  7. 1 John 2:26 lead you astray
  8. 1 John 2:27 NU omits will
  9. 1 John 2:28 NU if
  10. 1 John 3:1 NU adds And we are.
  11. 1 John 3:1 M you
  12. 1 John 3:14 NU omits his brother
  13. 1 John 3:19 NU shall know
  14. 1 John 3:19 persuade, set at rest
  15. 1 John 3:23 M omits us
  16. 1 John 4:3 NU omits that
  17. 1 John 4:3 NU omits Christ has come in the flesh
  18. 1 John 4:19 NU omits Him
  19. 1 John 4:20 NU he cannot
  20. 1 John 5:4 M your
  21. 1 John 5:7 NU, M omit the words from in heaven (v. 7) through on earth (v. 8). Only 4 or 5 very late mss. contain these words in Greek.
  22. 1 John 5:9 NU God, that
  23. 1 John 5:12 Or the life
  24. 1 John 5:13 NU omits the rest of v. 13.
  25. 1 John 5:18 guards
  26. 1 John 5:18 NU him

What was Bereshis (in the Beginning) which we have examined with our ears, which we have seen with our eyes, which we beheld and the hands of us [Shlichim, Ac 1:21-25] touched: the Dvar HaChayyim (Word of Life)!

Indeed the Chayyei [Olam] was manifested, and we have seen it and we give solemn eidus (witness of testimony) and we proclaim to you the Chayyei Olam which was alongside with HaAv [Yochanan 1:1-4,14] and made hisgalus (appearance of, exposure of in revelation) to us [Shlichim].

What we have seen and what we have heard, we proclaim also to you, that you also may have deveykus (attachment to G-d) with us [Shlichim of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach] and our deveykus (attachment to G-d) is with HaAv and with the Zun foon Der Oybershter, Moshiach Yehoshua/Yeshua.

And these things we [Shlichim] write, that the simcha of us may be made shleimah.

And this is the Besuras HaGeulah which we have heard from Him and which we proclaim to you, that Hashem is Ohr (Light), and in Him choshech there is not any at all.

If we make the claim that we have deveykus with Him and in the choshech walk, we speak sheker and have no halakhah in the Derech Emes.

But if our halakhah is in the Ohr as He is in the Ohr, we have hitkhabrut (joining, adhesion, fellowship) with one another and the dahm of Yehoshua, HaBen of Hashem, gives us tohorah (purification, cleansing) from kol chet. [YESHAYAH 2:5]

If we make the claim that we do not have avon (sin), we cause ourselves to fall under mirmah (deceit, fraud, YESHAYAH 53:9) and HaEmes is not in us. [MISHLE 20:9; YIRMEYAH 2:35]

If we make vidduy (confession of sin) of chattoteinu (our sins), he is ne’eman (faithful) and tzaddik to grant selicha (forgiveness) of chattoteinu (our sins) and give us tohorah (purification, cleansing) from kol avon. [DEVARIM 32:4; TEHILLIM 32:5; 51:2; MISHLE 28:13; MICHOH 7:18-20]

10 If we make the claim that we have not committed averos, a shakran (liar) we make Him, and the dvar of Him is not in us.

My yeladim, these things I write to you so that you do not commit averos. And if anyone does commit averos, a Melitz Yosher (Advocate) we have with HaAv, Yehoshua/Yeshua, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach the Tzaddik.

And he is the kapporah for chattoteinu, not for ours only, but also for the kol HaOlam Hazeh. [VAYIKRA 5:15; YESHAYAH 53:10]

And by this we have da’as that we have da’as of Him, if over the mitzvot of Him we are shomer.

The one making the claim, "I have da’as of Him" and not being shomer over His mitzvot is a shakran (liar) and in this one HaEmes is not.

But whoever over the dvar of Him is shomer, beemes in this one the ahavas Hashem has been made shleimah. By this we have da’as that in Him we are.

The one claiming to make his maon in Him ought with the halakhah of that One so he should have his derech. [Yn 14:1,23; TEHILLIM 1:6]

Chaverim, I do not write you a mitzvah chadasha, but a mitzvah yashanah, which you were having from the beginning: the mitzvah yashanah is the dvar which you heard.

Again a mitzvah chadasha I write to you, which is HaEmes in Him, and in you, because the choshech is making its histalkus (passing away) and the Ohr HaAmitti (the True Light) already is shining.

The one claiming in the Ohr (Light) to be and the Ach b’Moshiach of him hating, is in the choshech still. [VAYIKRA 19:17]

10 The one with ahavah for the Ach b’Moshiach of him makes his maon (dwelling, permanent residence, Yn 14:2, 23) in the Ohr (Light) and a cause for michshol (stumbling, falling) is not in him. [TEHILLIM 119:165]

11 But the one hating the Ach b’Moshiach of him is in the choshech and walks his derech in the choshech and does not have da’as where he goes, because the choshech blinded his eyes.

12 I write to you, yeladim, because your averos have been granted selicha (forgiveness) because of SHMO (His Name). [TEHILLIM 25:11]

13 I write to you, avot, because you have had da’as of the One Who is Bereshis; I write to you, yunge Leit (young people), because you have conquered the evil one.

14 I wrote to you, yeladim, because you have had da’as of HaAv; I wrote to you, avot, because you have had da’as of the One Bereshis. I wrote to you, yunge Leit (young people), because you are chazakim (strong ones) and the Dvar Hashem makes His maon in you and you have conquered the evil one.

15 Do not have ahavah for the Olam Hazeh, neither the things in the Olam Hazeh. If anyone has ahavah for the Olam Hazeh, the Ahavas [Elohim] HaAv is not in him.

16 For all that is in the Olam Hazeh, the ta’avah (lust) of the basar and the ta’avah of the eyes and the gaa’vah (pride) in the chashuve (prominence) of what one has in this life, one’s vital possessions, all this is not of HaAv but is of the Olam Hazeh. [BERESHIS 3:6; MISHLE 27:20]

17 And the Olam Hazeh is making its histalkus (passing away) and the ta’avah (lust) of it, but the one doing the ratzon Hashem has his maon lanetzakh (permanent dwelling place to remain for ever).

18 Yeladim, it is the sha’ah ha’achronah (the last hour, time), and as you heard that Anti-Moshiach is coming, even now many Anti-Moshiachs [nevi’ei sheker, 4:1] have come, from which we have da’as that it is the sha’ah ha’achronah.

19 They went out and departed from us, but they were not of us; for if they were of us, they would have abided with us; but they went out that it may be niglah (be revealed) that none of them belongs to us. [Yn 6:70; 13:30]

20 And you have a [Ruach Hakodesh] mishcha (anointing) from HaKadosh and you have da’as of all. [YIRMEYAH 31:34]

21 I did not write an iggeret kodesh to you because you do not have da’as of HaEmes, but because you do have da’as of HaEmes and that kol sheker (every falsehood) is not of HaEmes.

22 Who is the shakran (liar)? Who but the one making hakhchashah (denial) and claiming that Yehoshua is not the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach? This one is the Anti-Moshiach, the one making hakhchashah (denial) of HaAv and HaBen.

23 No one making hakhchashah of HaBen has HaAv; the one making hoda’ah (confession) of HaBen has HaAv also.

24 What you heard from the beginning, in you let it make its maon. If in you makes maon what from the beginning you heard, also you will make maon in HaBen and in HaAv.

25 And this is the havtachah (promise) which He promised us, Chayyei Olam.

26 These things I wrote to you concerning the [nevi’ei sheker] deceiving you.

27 And the [Ruach Hakodesh] mishcha (anointing) which you received from Him makes its maon in you, and you are not nitzrach (needy) that anyone should be your "moreh," but as the same [Ruach Hakodesh] mishcha (anointing) teaches you concerning everything and is Emes and is not kazav (lie, falsehood), and as He taught you, keep your maon in Him. [YIRMEYAH 31:34]

28 And now, yeladim, remain in Him, that when He makes His hisgalus (revelation, unveiling appearance) we may have bitachon and not have bushah (shame) before Him at the Bi’as HaMoshiach.

29 If you have da’as that He is tzaddik, you have da’as that also everyone who is a po’el tzedek (worker of righteousness) has been born of Him.

See what kind of ahavah HaAv has given to us, that yeladim of Elohim we should be called. And so we are. Therefore, the Olam Hazeh does not have da’as of us, because it did not have da’as of Him.

Chaverim, now yeladim of Elohim we are, and not yet it is niglah (is revealed) what we will be. We have da’as that when He is niglah, like Him we will be, because we will see Him as He is. [TEHILLIM 17:15]

And everyone having this tikvah (hope) in Him keeps himself in tohorah (purification, keeps himself pure), even as that One is tahor. [TEHILLIM 18:26]

Everyone practicing chet also does averah, and chet is averah al HaTorah.

And you have da’as that that One niglah (is revealed) that chata’einu (our sins) He might take away [YESHAYAH 53:4,12], and chet in Him is not. [YESHAYAH 53:9]

Everyone making his maon in Him does not go on sinning; everyone sinning has not seen Him nor has had da’as of Him.

Yeladim, let no [navi sheker, 1Y 4:1] deceive you; the one practicing tzedek is tzodek, even as that One is Tzaddik.

The one practicing averos is of Hasatan, because from the beginning Hasatan sins. For this tachlis was made hisgalus of the Ben HaElohim, that he might destroy the pe’ulot Hasatan.

Everyone having been born of Hashem is not practicing chet, because His Zera makes maon in him, and he cannot abide sinning, because he is born of Hashem. [TEHILLIM 119:3]

10 By this is made hisgalus of the yeladim of Hashem and the yeladim of Hasatan: everyone not practicing tzedek is not of Hashem; also the one not having ahavah for his Ach b’Moshiach.

11 Because this is the divrei Torah which we heard from the beginning, that we have ahavah one for another,

12 Not as Kayin, who was of the evil one, and slaughtered the ach of him; and for what cause did he slaughter him? Because the ma’asim of him were ra’im and the ma’asim of the ach of him were ma’asei tzedek. [BERESHIS 4:8; TEHILLIM 38:20; MISHLE 29:10]

13 And, Achim b’Moshiach, do not marvel if the Olam Hazeh hates you.

14 We have da’as that we have made our histalkus (passing) out of Mavet into Chayyim, because we have ahavah for the Achim b’Moshiach; the one not having ahavah makes his ma’on in death.

15 Everyone hating his Ach b’Moshiach is a rotzeach (murderer). And you have da’as that every rotzeach does not have Chayyei Olam making a ma’on in him.

16 By this we have had da’as of ahavah, because that One on behalf of us laid down his nefesh [YESHAYAH 53:10]; and we ought, on behalf of the Achim b’Moshiach, to lay down our nefashot.

17 Now whoever has vital possessions of the Olam Hazeh and sees the Ach b’Moshiach of him being nitzrach (needy) and has no rachamim (mercy) on him [DEVARIM 15:7,8] and refuses gemilut Chesed, how does the ahavas Hashem make ma’on in him?

18 Yeladim, let us not have ahavah in dvar or in lashon but in ma’aseh and in Emes. [YECHEZKEL 33:31]

19 And by this we will have da’as that we are of HaEmes, and before Him we will persuade our levavot,

20 That if our levavot condemn us, Hashem is greater than our levavot, and He has da’as of all things.

21 Chaverim, if our levavot do not bring us under the gezar din (verdict) of ashem (guilty), we have bitachon before Hashem.

22 And whatever we request, we receive from Him, because we are shomer of His mitzvot and the things pleasing before Him we practice.

23 And this is the mitzvah of Him, that we have emunah b’Shem of the Ben HaElohim, Yehoshua, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, and that we have ahavah one for another, as He gave mitzvah to us.

24 And the one being shomer of His mitzvot makes his ma’on in Him and He makes His ma’on in him; and by this we have da’as that He abides in us, by the Ruach Hakodesh whom He gave to us. [Yn 14:23,21; Ro 8:9,14,16]

Chaverim, do not believe every ruach. [YIRMEYAH 29:8] But test the ruchot (spirits), if they be of Hashem, because many nevi’ei sheker have gone out into the Olam Hazeh.

By this we have da’as of the Ruach Hakodesh of Hashem: every ruach which makes hoda’ah (confession) of Yehoshua, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach as having come in the basar is of Hashem,

And every ruach which does not make hoda’ah of Yehoshua is not of Hashem. And this is the ruach of the Anti-Moshiach, which you have heard that it is coming; and now it already is in the Olam Hazeh.

Yeladim, you are of Hashem, and you have overcome them, because greater is the One in you than the one in the Olam Hazeh. [MELACHIM BAIS 6:16]

They are of the Olam Hazeh; therefore, of the Olam Hazeh they speak, and the Olam Hazeh pays heed to them.

We are of Hashem; the one having da’as of Hashem pays heed to us; he who is not of Hashem does not pay heed to us. From this we have da’as of the Ruach [Hakodesh] of Emes and the ruach tatu’im (spirit of delusion, error).

Chaverim, let us have ahavah one for another, because ahavah is of Hashem, and everyone having ahavah has been born of Hashem and has da’as of Hashem.

The one not having ahavah did not have da’as of Hashem, because Hashem is ahavah.

By this was made hisgalus of the ahavah of Hashem among us, because Hashem has sent His Ben Yechid into the Olam Hazeh that we may live through Him. [Yn 3:16]

10 In this is ahavah, not that we have had ahavah for Hashem, but that Hashem had ahavah for us and gave His Ben HaElohim as a kapporah for chattoteinu.

11 Chaverim, if Hashem so had ahavah for us, also we ought to have ahavah one for another.

12 No one has ever beheld Hashem. If we have ahavah one for another, G-d makes His ma’on in us and the Ahavas Hashem in us has been made shleimah.

13 By this we have da’as that we have our ma’on in Him and He in us, because of the Ruach Hakodesh of Him He has given us.

14 And we [Shlichim] have beheld and we give solemn eidus (testimony) that HaAv has sent HaBen as Moshi’a HaOlam (Go’el el kol HaOlam, Oisleizer).

15 Whoever makes moyde (confession) that Yehoshua (Yeshua) is the Ben HaElohim, Hashem makes His ma’on in him and he in Hashem.

16 And we have had da’as and emunah in the ahavah which Hashem has for us. Hashem is ahavah. The one making his ma’on in ahavah makes his ma’on in Hashem and Hashem in him.

17 By this has the ahavah become shleimah with us, that we may have bitachon in the Yom HaDin, because as that One is, so we are also in the Olam Hazeh.

18 Pachad (fear) is not in ahavah, but the ahavah hashleimah casts out pachad, because pachad has to do with pachad of the onesh (punishment) and the one with pachad has not been perfected in ahavah.

19 We have ahavah because rishonah He had ahavah for us.

20 If anyone says I have ahavah for Hashem and the Ach b’Moshiach he hates, he is a shakran (liar). For the one not having ahavah for the Ach b’Moshiach of him whom he has seen, how can he have ahavah for the Elohim whom he has not seen?

21 And this mitzvah we have from Him that the one having ahavah for Hashem should have ahavah also for the Ach b’Moshiach of him.

Everyone with emunah that Yehoshua (Yeshua) is the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach has been born of Hashem, and everyone having ahavah for the One having begotten has also ahavah for the one begotten by Him.

By this we have da’as that we have ahavah for the yeladim of Hashem, when we have ahavas Hashem and we are shomer over His mitzvot.

For this is the ahavas Hashem, that we are shomer over His mitzvot, and His mitzvot are not burdensome. [DEVARIM 30:11]

Because whatever [T.N. refers to every believer] that has been born of Hashem obtains nitzachon (victory) over the Olam Hazeh. And this is the nitzachon (victory), the nitzachon that overcomes the Olam Hazeh, even [what makes us a believer], our emunah (faith).

And who is the one overcoming the Olam Hazeh except the one with emunah that Yehoshua is the Ben HaElohim?

This One is the One having come by mayim and dahm, Yehoshua, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach; not by the mayim only, but by the mayim and by the dahm; and the Ruach Hakodesh is the one giving solemn eidus, because the Ruach Hakodesh is HaEmes.

Because there are shloshah giving solemn eidus:

the Ruach Hakodesh and the mayim and the dahm, and the shloshah are for solemn eidus.

If the solemn eidus of Bnei Adam we receive, the solemn eidus of Hashem is greater, because this is the eidus of Hashem that He has testified concerning the Son of the Oybeshter.

10 The one with emunah in the Ben HaElohim has the eidus, even the eidus (witness), in himself; the one without emunah in Hashem has made Hashem a shakran (liar), because he has not had emunah in the eidus which Hashem has testified concerning His Ben HaElohim.

11 And this is the eidus, that Hashem gave Chayyei Olam to us, and this Chayyim is in His Ben HaElohim.

12 The one having HaBen has HaChayyim; the one not having HaBen HaElohim does not have Chayyim.

13 These things I wrote to you who have emunah b’Shem HaBen HaElohim, that you vada (with certainty) may have da’as that you have Chayyei Olam. [Yn 20:31]

14 And this is the bitachon which we have with Him, that if we daven and request anything according to His ratzon (will), He hears us.

15 And if we have da’as that He hears us, whatever we ask, we have da’as that we have the requests which we asked from Him. [MELACHIM ALEF 3:12]

16 If anyone sees his Ach b’Moshiach sinning an averah not leading to mavet, he will ask and Hashem will give to him Chayyim, to the ones sinning a chet not leading to mavet. There is an averah leading to mavet. I do not say we should make request concerning that averah.

17 Kol avon is chet, and there is chet not leading to mavet.

18 We have da’as that everyone having been born of Hashem does not continually sin, but the One having been born of G-d (Ben HaElohim Moshiach) is shomer over him and Hasatan does not touch him.

19 We have da’as that we are of Hashem and the whole Olam Hazeh lies under Hasatan.

20 And we have da’as that the Ben HaElohim has come and has given us binah that we may have da’as of the One who is the True One, The Omein, and we are in the One who is The Omein, even in HaBen of Him, Moshiach Yehoshua. This one is the El HaAmitti and Chayyei Olam [YIRMEYAH 24:7].

21 Yeladim, keep yourselves from elilim [YIRMEYAH 5:18]

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

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

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

I rejoiced greatly 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 though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

Greeting the Elect Lady

The Elder,

To the [a]elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known (A)the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

(B)Grace, mercy, and peace will be with [b]you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Walk in Christ’s Commandments

I (C)rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: (D)that we love one another. (E)This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that (F)as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

Beware of Antichrist Deceivers

For (G)many deceivers have gone out into the world (H)who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. (I)This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (J)Look to yourselves, (K)that [c]we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

(L)Whoever [d]transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and (M)does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

John’s Farewell Greeting

12 (N)Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, (O)that our joy may be full.

13 (P)The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:1 chosen
  2. 2 John 1:3 NU, M us
  3. 2 John 1:8 NU you
  4. 2 John 1:9 NU goes ahead

From the Zaken (Elder, SHEMOT 3:16). To the Gevirah HaBechirah (the Chosen Lady) and her Banim (Sons, Children), for whom I have ahavah (agape) b’Emes, and not only I but also all those who have Da’as HaEmes (Knowledge of the Truth),

Because of HaEmes that dwells inside us, and will be immanu (with us) for Yamim HaOlam.

Chen v’Chesed Hashem (unmerited Favor and Kindness), Rachamim Hashem (Mercy), and Shalom Hashem (Peace) will be immanu (with us) from Elohim HaAv and from Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, HaBen of HaAv, in Emes and Ahavah (agape).

I had simcha gedola (much joy) that I have found some of your Banim with a walk which is Halakhah b’Derech Emes (Conduct in the Way of Truth), just as we received a mitzvah (commandment) to do so from HaAv [1:3].

And now I beseech you, Gevirah [1:1], not as a mitzvah chadasha (new commandment) I am writing you, but that which we had meyReshit (from the Beginning): that we should have ahavah (agape) one for the other [Yochanan 13:34].

And this is ahavah, that we should walk with a halichah according to the Mitzvot of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach; this is the mitzvah just as you have heard it meyReshit. You must walk in it [1:5].

Because mat’im rabbim (many misleaders, deceivers) have gone out into the world, the ones not making the Ani Ma’amin moyde (confession) that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua habah b’basar (has come in bodily flesh); this one is HaMat’eh (the Deceiving One) and the Anti-Moshiach.

Watch out for yourselves, lest you lose what we worked for, but may receive a sachar maleh (full reward).

Everyone who runs ahead and does not remain in the torah of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach does not have Hashem; the one remaining in the torah [of Moshiach], this one has both HaAv and HaBen.

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this torah, do not receive him into your house [kehillah, shtiebel], and do not give him Drishat Shalom.

11 For the one giving Drishat Shalom to him has shuttafut (partnership) with his ma’asim hara’im (evil deeds).

12 I have many things to write to you; I wanted not to do so with parchment and ink, but I have the tikvah (hope) to be with you and to speak panim el panim (directly, in person—DEVARIM 34:10), that our simcha (joy) may be shleimah (complete).

13 Drishat Shalom from the Banim of your Achot HaBechirah (Chosen Sister).

The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

Greeting to Gaius

The Elder,

To the beloved Gaius, (A)whom I love in truth:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I (B)rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater (C)joy than to hear that (D)my children walk in [a]truth.

Gaius Commended for Generosity

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren [b]and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake, (E)taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to (F)receive[c] such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, (G)prating[d] against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

11 Beloved, (H)do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. (I)He who does good is of God, [e]but he who does evil has not seen (J)God.

12 Demetrius (K)has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also [f]bear witness, (L)and you know that our testimony is true.

Farewell Greeting

13 (M)I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.

Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Footnotes

  1. 3 John 1:4 NU the truth
  2. 3 John 1:5 NU and especially for
  3. 3 John 1:8 NU support
  4. 3 John 1:10 talking nonsense
  5. 3 John 1:11 NU, M omit but
  6. 3 John 1:12 testify

From the Zaken (Elder, SHEMOT 3:16). To Gaius HaAhuv (Gaius the beloved), for whom I have ahavah (agape) b’Emes.

Chaver, it is my tefillah that all may be hatzlocha (successful) with you, and that you may be shalem b’guf (healthy), just as your nefesh (soul) is matsli’ach (successful).

For I had simcha gedola (much joy) when the Achim b’Moshiach arrived [here] and gave eidus (testimony) of you being in HaEmes (the Truth), just as your walk is halakhah b’Derech Emes (conduct in the Way of Truth).

I have no greater simcha than this, to hear of my bnei b’Moshiach, that their walk is halakhah b’Derech Emes.

Chaver, you do a thing of emunah (faith) when it is done for the Achim b’Moshiach [engaged in the Shlichus (Divine Mission) of Messianic Kiruv Rechokim itineration in the kehillot], especially when they are people you don’t know.

They gave eidushaft (witness of testimony) to your ahavah (agape) before the kehillah (assembly) [here]; you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of Hashem.

For, on behalf of Hashem they went forth [in the Shlichus of Moshiach’s Kiruv Rechokim], taking nothing from the Goyim.

Therefore, we ought to give hachnosas orchim (hospitality) to such, in order that we may be ozrim (helpers) with HaEmes.

I wrote something to the kehillah [there]; but Diotrephes, who has fallen in love with being "Rosh of the Kehillah," does not receive us.

10 Oib azoi (consequently), if I come, I will remember his "ma’asim" ("works") which he does, his bringing unjustified charges against us with lashon horah (evil speech). And not being satisfied with performing these "mitzvot", he even refuses to receive the Achim b’Moshiach, and, those intending to do so, he hinders and expels out of the kehillah.

11 Chaver, do not imitate HaRah (Evil); rather, imitate HaTov (Good). The one doing HaTov is from Hashem. The one doing HaRah has not regarded Hashem.

12 To Demetrius, eidus (witness of testimony, commendation) has been given by all and, personally, by no less than HaEmes (the Truth); we also give eidus, and you have da’as that our eidus is emes.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you with pen and ink.

14 But I have the tikvah (hope) to see you imminently, and we will speak panim el panim (directly, in person). Drishat Shalom to you. Drishat Shalom from the Chaverim [here]. Drishat Shalom by name to each of the Chaverim [there].

15 Drishat Shalom to you. Drishat Shalom from the Chaverim [here]. Drishat Shalom by name to each of the Chaverim [there]. T.N. It is possible that the first book of the Brit Chadasha was written by Ya’akov [see p.848], possibly around 45 C.E. However, the iggeret hakodesh on this page is written by Moshiach’s Shliach Yochanan to Gaius with the prayer that as Gaius prospers spiritually, he will succeed in every aspect of his life. It appears that the Shliach Yochanan had led Gaius to faith in the Moshiach (see verse 3-4) and Gaius in turn had shown kindness and hachnosas orchim (hospitality) to certain of Moshiach’s traveling emissaries, who had reported Gaius’ generosity (verse 6) before the Kehillah where the Shliach Yochanan is now, probably the same kehillah in Asia Minor where Yochanan did much of his other writing: his Besurah Geulah, his other iggrot kodesh, and his Hisgalus. The purpose of the letter is to commend an itinerant emissary of Moshiach named Demetrius (verse 12). When planting a new Messianic Shul, the non-believers are not to be asked for financial support (verse 7). Therefore, the Messianic kehillot and their Zekenim are to offer hachnosas orchim and material help to travelling emissaries of Moshiach such as Demetrius. Also this epistle teaches that when one knows G-d, the Truth gives an inner eidus or testimony (verse 12). Other Scripture on this matter of assurance are found in Ro 8:15-17, 38f; Ga 4:6; Pp 1:6; 2Ti 1:12; Yn 5:24; 1Yn 5:13; 1Yn 4:13; 5:10; 3:18- 19; MJ 6:11; 10:22. As we study the Holy Bible we find that we can discover there (not in emotional experience or in our circumstances) that we are heirs of salvation and children with a heavenly calling, citizenship, and destiny. See also 2Ti 3:14; Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5; Ro 14:5; 4:21; 1Th 2:13; Ac 2:38, 5:32; Ga 3:2; Ac 15:8; 1Yn 3:24; Eph 1:13-14; 4:30. There are other Scriptures that warn against self-deception in these matters, and give moral and spiritual tests so that anyone can see if he or she is walking in the light—see 1Yn 2:3-5; 3:9f; 14, 18f, 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18; 1 Yn 3:19; 1 Yn 1:6; 2:4, 9- 11, 23: 3:6-10, 4:8,20; 2Yn 9; 3Yn 11.