| English Standard Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know 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— |
| 2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: | 2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: |
| 3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, 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 to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by 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 ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have 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 according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you 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 have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the 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. |
| 8Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. | 8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. |
| 9Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has 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 anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, | 10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. |
| 11for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. | 11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds. |
| 12Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. | 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 your elect sister greet you. | 13The children of your elect sister send you greetings. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. |
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