| English Standard Version | Christian Standard 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 elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth--and not only I, 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 remains 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 will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, 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 very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. |
| 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. | 5So now I ask you, dear lady--not as if I were writing you a new command, 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. | 6This is love: that we walk according to his commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you 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. | 7Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This 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 you don't lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. |
| 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 does not remain in Christ's teaching but goes beyond it does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one 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 and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don't greet him; |
| 11for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. | 11for the one who greets him shares in his evil works. |
| 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. | 12Though I have many things to write to you, I don't want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk 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 Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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