2 Juan 1

¹The Ancient to the lady Elect and her children, whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth, The ancient. . .That is, the ancient bishop St. John, being the only one of the twelve apostles then living. To the lady Elect. . .Some conjecture that Electa might be the name of a family, or f a particular church; but the general opinion is, that it is the proper name of a lady, so eminent for her piety and great charity, as to merit this Epistle from St. John.

²For the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us and shall be with us for ever.

³Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father: in truth and charity.

⁴I was exceeding glad that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

⁵And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

⁶And this is charity: That we walk according to his commandments. For this is the commandment that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in the same:

⁷For many seducers are gone out into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a seducer and an antichrist.

⁸Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.

⁹Whosoever revolteth and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son.

¹⁰If any man come to you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house nor say to him: God speed you. Nor say to him, God speed you. . .This admonition is in general, to forewarn the faithful of the dangers which may arise from a familiarity with those who have prevaricated and gone rom the true faith, and with such as teach false doctrine. But this is not forbidding a charity for all men, by which we ought to wish and pray for the eternal salvation of every one, even of our enemies.

¹¹For he that saith unto him: God speed you, communicateth with his wicked works.

¹²Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and ink: for I hope that I shall be with you and speak face to face, that your joy may be full.

¹³The children of thy sister Elect salute thee.