| 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 be with us in truth and love from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father. | 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. |
| 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, 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. |
| 12I have many things to write you, but I would prefer not to use 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. |
|
   
|