Greeting
2 JOHN 1 [†] a The elder to the elect lady and her children, b whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who c know d the truth, 2[†] e because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 f Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
Walking in Truth and Love
4[†] g I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5[†]And now I ask you, dear lady— h not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning— i that we love one another. 6[†]And j this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just k as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7[†]For l many deceivers m have gone out into the world, n those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8[†]Watch yourselves, o so that you may not lose what we [1] have worked for, but p may win a full reward. 9[†]Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, q does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching q has both the Father and the Son. 10[†]If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, r do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11[†]for whoever greets him s takes part in his wicked works.
Final Greetings
12[†] t Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. u Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, v so that our joy may be complete.
13[†]The children of your elect sister greet you.