The Second Epistle of John^*

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; (and not I only, but all those likewise who know the truth;) ² because of the truth which abideth in us, and which will be with us for ever: ³ favour, mercy, and peace be with you, from God the Father and from [the Lord] Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

⁴ I rejoiced greatly, that I found some of thy children walking in the truth, according as we have received commandment from the Father. ⁵ And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. ⁶ And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment; as ye have heard from the beginning, to the intent that ye should walk in it. ⁷ For many deceivers have entered* into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh*. Such an one is a deceiver, and an antichrist. ⁸ Take heed to yourselves; that we lose not those things which we have done, but that we receive a full reward. ⁹ Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If any one come unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, nor greet him. ¹¹ For he who greeteth him, is a partaker of his evil deeds.

¹² Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: for I hope to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our* joy may be full. ¹³ The children of thy elect sister salute thee.

Footnotes

^Title The second and third epistles of John are placed by Eusebius amongst the books whose genuineness had been called in question: but this was probably owing to their brevity, and to their being addressed to particular persons. For, as Dr. Priestley observes, "both the subjects and the language are so much the same with those of the former epistle, that there cannot be a doubt of their having the same author."

^7a Or, gone forth. MSS.

^7b i.e. that he is not a real man; alluding to the errors of the Docetæ.

¹² Or, your. MSS.