2Jn 2 John, chapter Second Epistle of John, chapter 1
Greeting
The Elder,
To the elect lady and her children, whom I genuinely love in the truth—and not I alone, but all who have come to know the truth—
because of the truth that abides within us and will remain with us forever:
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.
Walking According to God’s Commandments
It brought me great joy to discover that some of your children are living according to the truth, just as we received commandment from the Father.
And now I appeal to you, dear lady—not as though I were writing a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
And this is what love means: that we live in obedience to His commandments. This is the commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must live in love.
The Emergence of the Deceivers
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh. Such a person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Guard yourselves, so that you do not forfeit what we have labored for, but may receive a full reward.
Anyone who goes beyond the teaching of Christ and does not remain in it does not possess God. The one who remains in the teaching possesses both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or offer him a greeting,
for the one who greets him participates in his evil deeds.
Farewell Greeting
Though I have many things to write to you, I do not wish to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be made complete.
The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.