| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth— | 1This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— |
| 2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: | 2because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. |
| 3Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love. | 3Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. Live in the Truth |
| 4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us. | 4How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded. |
| 5And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. | 5I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. |
| 6And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love. | 6Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. |
| 7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. | 7I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. |
| 8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. | 8Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. |
| 9Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. | 9Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. |
| 10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. | 10If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. |
| 11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds. | 11Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work. Conclusion |
| 12I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. | 12I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete. |
| 13The children of your elect sister send you greetings. | 13Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God. |
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