2J

The elder, to the lady chosen by God and to her children
Whom I love in the truth—and not I only
But also all who know the truth because of the truth, which lives in us
And will be with us forever, thanks to God the Holy

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father
And from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son
Will be with us in truth and love
It has given me great joy to find some
Of your children walking in the truth
Just as the Father commanded us clearly from above

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command
But one we have had from the beginning
I ask that we love one another
From every morning to every evening

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands
As you have heard from the beginning
His command is that you walk in love
And you have to do it clearly

I say this because many deceivers
Who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, who do not trust
Have gone out into the world
Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist

Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for
But that you may be rewarded fully
Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ
Does not have God truly

Whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son
If anyone comes to you and this teaching does not bring
Do not take them into your house or welcome them
Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work, it’s sin

I have much to write to you
But I do not want to use paper and ink
Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face
So that our joy may be complete

The children of your sister, who is chosen by God
Send their greetings by their warmest words