| King James Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1The 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; | 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— |
| 2For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. | 2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: |
| 3Grace 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. | 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. |
| 4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. | 4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us. |
| 5And 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. | 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. |
| 6And 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. | 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. |
| 7For 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. | 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. |
| 8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. | 8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. |
| 9Whosoever 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. | 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. |
| 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: | 10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. |
| 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. | 11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds. |
| 12Having 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. | 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. |
| 13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. | 13The children of your elect sister send you greetings. |
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