2 John
New Century Version
1 From the Elder.[a]
To the chosen lady[b] and her children:
I love all of you in the truth,[c] and all those who know the truth love you. 2 We love you because of the truth that lives in us and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, will be with us in truth and love.
4 I was very happy to learn that some of your children are following the way of truth, as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, this is not a new command but is the same command we have had from the beginning. I ask you that we all love each other. 6 And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.
7 Many false teachers are in the world now who do not confess that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human. Anyone who does not confess this is a false teacher and an enemy of Christ. 8 Be careful yourselves that you do not lose everything you[d] have worked for, but that you receive your full reward.
9 Anyone who goes beyond Christ’s teaching and does not continue to follow only his teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome or accept that person into your house. 11 If you welcome such a person, you share in the evil work.
12 I have many things to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so we can be full of joy. 13 The children of your chosen sister[e] greet you.
Footnotes
- 1 Elder “Elder” means an older person. It can also mean a special leader in the church (as in Titus 1:5).
- 1 lady This might mean a woman, or in this letter it might mean a church. If it is a church, then “her children” would be the people of the church.
- 1 truth The truth or “Good News” about Jesus Christ that joins all believers together.
- 8 you Some Greek copies read “we.”
- 13 sister Sister of the “lady” in verse 1. This might be another woman or another church.
2 John
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Greeting
The Elder:[a]
To the elect(A) lady[b] 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(B)— 2 because of the truth that remains in us(C) and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace(D) will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son(E) of the Father, in truth and love.(F)
Truth and Deception
4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in the truth,(G) 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.(H) 6 And this is love:(I) that we walk according to His commands.(J) This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love.[c]
7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.[d](K) This is the deceiver and the antichrist.(L) 8 Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we[e] have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.(M) 9 Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching(N) but goes beyond it, does not have God.(O) The one who remains(P) in that teaching, this one has both the Father(Q) and the Son.(R) 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive(S) him into your home, and don’t say, “Welcome,” to him; 11 for the one who says, “Welcome,” to him shares(T) in his evil works.(U)
Farewell
12 Though I have many things to write to you,(V) I don’t want to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to be with you and talk face to face[f] so that our joy(W) may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister send you greetings.
Footnotes
- 2 John 1:1 Or Presbyter
- 2 John 1:1 Or Kyria, a proper name; probably a literary figure for a local church known to John; the children would be its members.
- 2 John 1:6 Lit in it
- 2 John 1:7 Or confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh
- 2 John 1:8 Other mss read you
- 2 John 1:12 Lit mouth to mouth
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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