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2 John
J.B. Phillips New Testament

1-3 This letter comes from the Elder to a certain Christian lady and her children, held in the highest affection not only by me but by all who know the truth. For the truth’s sake (which even now we know and which will be our companion for ever) I wish you, in all love and sincerity, grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son.

Let us love, but have no dealing with lies

4-6 I was overjoyed to find some of your children living the life of truth, as the Father himself instructed us. I beg you now, dear lady, not as though I were issuing any new order but simply reminding you of the original one, to see that we continue to love one another. Real love means obeying the Father’s orders, and you have known from the beginning that you must live in obedience to him.

7-8 For the world is becoming full of impostors—men who will not admit that Jesus the Christ really became man. Now this is the very spirit of deceit and is anti-Christ. Take care of yourselves; don’t throw away all the labour that has been spent on you, but persevere till God gives you your reward.

Have nothing to do with false teachers

9-11 The man who is so “advanced” that he is not content with what Christ taught. has in fact no God. The man who bases his life on Christ’s teaching, however, has both the Father and the Son as his God. If any teacher comes to you who is disloyal to what Christ taught, don’t have him inside your house. Don’t even wish him “God-speed”, unless you want to share in the evil that he is doing.

Personal

12-13 I have a lot that I could write to you, but somehow I find it hard to put down on paper. I hope to come and see you personally, and we will have a heart-to-heart talk together—and how we shall enjoy that! Your sister’s children send their love.

JOHN

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2 John
International Standard Version

Greetings from John

1 From:[a] The Elder

To: The chosen lady and her children, whom I genuinely love, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 that is present in us and will be with us forever.

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus[b] the Messiah,[c] the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Living in the Truth

4 I was overjoyed to find some of your[d] children living truthfully, just as the Father has commanded us. 5 Dear lady, I am now requesting of you[e] that we all continue to love one another. It is not as though I am writing to give you[f] a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning. 6 And this is what demonstrates[g] love: that we live according to God’s[h] commandments. Just as you[i] have heard from the beginning what he commanded, you[j] must live by it.

Reject False Teachers

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world. They refuse to acknowledge Jesus the Messiah[k] as having become human. Any such person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 See[l] to it that you[m] don’t destroy what we have[n] worked for, but that you[o] receive your[p] full reward. 9 Everyone who does not remain true to the teaching of the Messiah,[q] but goes beyond it, does not have God. The person who remains true to the teaching of the Messiah[r] has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you[s] but does not present his teachings,[t] do not receive[u] him into your house or even welcome[v] him, 11 because the one who welcomes him shares in his evil deeds.

Final Greeting

12 Although I have a great deal to write to you,[w] I would prefer not to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your[x] chosen sister greet you.[y]

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:1 The Gk. lacks From
  2. 2 John 1:3 Other mss. read the Lord Jesus
  3. 2 John 1:3 Or Christ
  4. 2 John 1:4 Lit. your (sing.)
  5. 2 John 1:5 Lit. you (sing.)
  6. 2 John 1:5 Lit. you (sing.)
  7. 2 John 1:6 The Gk. lacks what demonstrates
  8. 2 John 1:6 Lit. his
  9. 2 John 1:6 Lit. you (pl.)
  10. 2 John 1:6 Lit. you (pl.)
  11. 2 John 1:7 Or Christ
  12. 2 John 1:8 The Gk. verb is pl.
  13. 2 John 1:8 Lit. you (pl.)
  14. 2 John 1:8 Other mss. read you have
  15. 2 John 1:8 Lit. you (pl.)
  16. 2 John 1:8 Lit. your (pl.)
  17. 2 John 1:9 Or Christ
  18. 2 John 1:9 Or Christ
  19. 2 John 1:10 Lit. you (pl.)
  20. 2 John 1:10 Lit. this teaching
  21. 2 John 1:10 The Gk. verb is pl.
  22. 2 John 1:10 The Gk. verb is pl.
  23. 2 John 1:12 Lit. you (pl.)
  24. 2 John 1:13 Lit. you (sing.)
  25. 2 John 1:13 Other mss. read you. Amen
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J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.

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