| NET Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1From the elder, to an elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth (and not I alone, but also all those 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 resides 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 Son of the Father, 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 because I have found some of your children living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded us. | 4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us. |
| 5But now I ask you, lady (not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, 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. |
| 6(Now this is love: that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus 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, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person 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 out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive 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 remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this 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 and do not 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. |
| 11because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds. | 11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds. |
| 12Though I have many other things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come visit you and speak 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. |
|
    |