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Walk in Truth and Love

(A)The elder to the (B)elect (C)lady and her children, whom I (D)love in truth, and not only I, but also all who (E)know the truth, for (F)the sake of the truth which abides (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 rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we received commandment 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 should walk in it.

For (Q)many deceivers have (R)gone out into the world, those who (S)do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is (T)the deceiver and the (U)antichrist. (V)See to yourselves, (W)that you do not lose what we accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. [a]Anyone who [b]goes too far and (X)does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. The one who abides in the teaching, he 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 give him a greeting, 11 for the one who gives him a greeting [c](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 face to face, so that [d]your (AB)joy may be made complete.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:9 Lit Everyone
  2. 2 John 1:9 Lit goes on ahead
  3. 2 John 1:11 Lit fellowships
  4. 2 John 1:12 One early ms our

Greeting

The Elder,

To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—not only I, but also everyone who knows the truth— because of the truth that remains 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.

Keep on Walking According to God’s Word

I was overjoyed to find out that some of your children are walking in the truth, in keeping with the command we received from the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing a new command to you, but the one we have had from the beginning—let us love one another. And this is love: that we walk according to his commands. This is the command: Just as you have heard from the beginning, keep on walking in it.

Beware of Deceivers

Many deceivers who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh have gone out into the world. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Watch yourselves so that you do not lose what we[b] have labored for but receive a full reward.

Anyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house. Do not even wish him well. 11 For the one who wishes him well shares in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

12 I have many things to write to you, but I did not want to do it with paper and ink. I hope instead to be with you and speak to you face to face so that our[c] joy may be made complete.

13 The children of your chosen sister greet you.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:3 Some witnesses to the text add the Lord. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.)
  2. 2 John 1:8 Some witnesses to the text read you.
  3. 2 John 1:12 Some witnesses to the text read your.