2 John 1
1 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;
This letter comes from the elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth. Not just from me, but from everyone who knows the truth,
because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. (aiōn g165)
3 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.
May grace, mercy and peace continue to be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and in love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
I was delighted to discover that some of your children are following the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
5 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.
Now I'm telling you, dear lady, not as a new instruction, but following what we've understood from the beginning, that we should love one another.
6 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.
This is what love is: we should follow God's commands. The command, just as you heard right from the beginning, is that you should live in love.
7 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.
I'm telling you this because many deceivers have left and gone out into the world. They don't accept that Jesus Christ has come as a human being. Anyone like this is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Be careful that you don't lose what we've worked so hard for, and that you receive all that you should.
9 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.
All those who become extremists and don't continue to follow the teaching of Christ don't have God with them. Those who continue to follow the teaching of Christ have both the Father and the Son with them.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:
If people come to you and don't show evidence of Christ's teaching, don't take them in, don't welcome them—
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
for if you encourage them you share in their evil work.
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.
I have so many things to tell you that I won't write any more with paper and ink, for I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face. How happy that would make us!
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Greetings to you from the children of your chosen sister.
