2 John 1 (BHT-ATN)

“To: The Chosen Lady and Her Children”

1 From: The Elder.

To: The chosen lady and her children, whom I truly love+ (and not only I, but everyone else, too, who has come to know the truth),2 on account of the truth that dwells within us and will be forever into the ages with us.

3 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus the Messiah, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

“Let Us Continually Love One Another”

4 It brought me great joy to find some of ˢyour children living their lives in accordance with the truth, in keeping with the commandment we received from the Father. 5 And now I have a request to make of ˢyou, dear lady, though+ it isn’t a new commandment that I am writing to ˢyou, but one that has been required+ of us from the start: Let us continually love one another. 6 And this is what it means to love: To live our lives according to his commandments. This is the commandment, just as ᵖyou have been taught+ from the start: ᵖYou must a life of love live. 7 I say this because so many have gone out into the world who are deceivers—those who refuse to acknowledge that Jesus the Messiah came “as a real man with a mortal nature.”+ Such a person is representative of that deceiver and imposter who will oppose the true Messiah.+ 8 Be on ᵖyour guard, so that you don’t lose the things for which we have worked so hard, but may receive a full reward. 9 If someone goes beyond the established limits of instruction+ and doesn’t continue in the teaching of the Messiah,+ it is God whose fellowship he does not enjoy.+ If someone does continue in the teaching, however, it is both the Father and the Son with whom he is in fellowship. 10 If someone comes to ᵖyou who this teaching does not bring, don’t welcome him into the house, or even give him a greeting, 11 because anyone who says to him, “Welcome,” shares responsibility for his evil deeds.

12 Although there is so much that I want to say to ᵖyou,+ I don’t want to do so with paper and ink. I hope to visit ᵖyou and talk with you, rather, face to face, so that we may all be filled with the greatest of joy.+ 13 The children of ˢyour chosen sister send ˢyou greetings.

+1:1Or whom I love in truth.+1:5Lit And now I request of you, dear lady, not as though…. Cf UBSHS (2 Jn), 165.+1:5Lit one we have had. In this context, ἔχω ( echo) means “a sense of obligation in regard to something” ( BDAG, 421, sv 7.a.δ.).+1:6Or have heard, or have learned. Cf BSL, 2 Jn 6, sv ἀκούω; BDAG, 38, sv ἀκούω 3.+1:7Lit the ones not acknowledging Jesus the Messiah as coming in flesh. ME (see translation and notes at 1 Jn 4:2).+1:7Lit This is the deceiver and the anti-Messiah. ME (see translation and notes at 1 Jn 2:18, 3:4; BSL, 1 Jn 4:3, sv; L-N, 58.68).+1:9Lit Anyone who goes beyond/goes ahead. ME/IT (see BSL, 2 Jn 9, sv προάγω; ESS [1, 2, 3 Jn], 212; L-N, 36.25).+1:9Cf Jn 7:16, 8:31.+1:9Lit he does not have God. ME (see BDAG, 420, sv ἔχω 2.b.; UBSHS [1 Jn], 70). The meaning here is the same as at 1 Jn 2:23 and 1 Jn 5:12.+1:12Lit write to you. Cf NLT, TEV.+1:12Lit so that our joy may be made complete. ME (see translation and notes Jn 15:11). ἡμῶν ( hēmōn) is interpreted as an inclusive first person plural. This is reflected in the translation.