2 and 3 John : Easy-to-Read Version  | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

Other Versions

2 John

1Greetings from the Elder.* To the lady* chosen [by God], and to her children: I love all of you in the truth.* Also, all those people who know the truth love you. 2We love you because of the truth--the truth that lives in us. That truth will be with us forever. 3Grace (kindness), mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from his Son, Jesus Christ. We receive these blessings through truth and love. 4I was very happy to learn about some of your children. I am happy that they are following the way of truth, like the Father (God) commanded us. 5And now, dear lady,* I tell you: We should all love each other. This is not a new command. It is the same command we had from the beginning. 6And loving means living the way he commanded us to live. And God's command is this: that you live a life of love. You heard this command from the beginning. 7Many false teachers are in the world now. These false teachers refuse to confess (say) that Jesus Christ came [to earth] and became a man. A person who refuses to confess this fact is a false teacher and an enemy of Christ. 8Be careful! Don't lose the reward that you have worked for. Be careful, so that you will receive all of your reward. 9A person must continue to follow only the teaching of Christ. If a person changes the teaching of Christ, then that person does not have God. But if a person continues following the teaching of Christ, then that person has both the Father (God) and the Son (Christ). 10If a person comes to you, but does not bring this teaching, then don't accept him into your house. Don't welcome him. 11If you accept him, then you are helping him with his evil work. 12I have much to say to you. But I don't want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come visit you. Then we can be together and talk. That will make us very happy. 13The children of your sister* who was chosen [by God] send you their love.

Elder This is probably John the apostle. "Elder" means an older man. It can also mean a special leader in the church (like in Titus 1:5).lady This might mean a woman. Or, in this letter, it might mean a church. If it is a church, then "her children" would be the people of the church.truth The truth or "Good News" about Jesus Christ that joins all believers together.sister Sister of the "lady" in verse 1. This might be another woman or another church.


3 John

1Greetings from the Elder.* To my dear friend Gaius that I love in the truth*: 2My dear friend, I know that your soul is doing fine. So I pray that you are doing fine in every way. And I pray that you are feeling well. 3Some brothers [in Christ] came and told me about the truth* in your life. They told me that you continue to follow the way of truth. This made me very happy. 4It always gives me the greatest joy when I hear that my children are following the way of truth. 5My dear friend, it is good that you continue to help the brothers [in Christ]. You are helping brothers that you don't even know! 6These brothers told the church (group of believers) about the love you have. Please help them to continue their trip. Help them in a way that will please God. 7These brothers went on their trip to serve Christ. They did not accept any help from people who are not believers. 8So we should help these brothers. When we help them, we share with their work for the truth.* 9I wrote a letter to the church. But Diotrephes will not listen to what we say. He always wants to be their leader. 10When I come, I will talk about what Diotrephes is doing. He lies and says evil things about us. But that is not all he does! He refuses to help those brothers [who are working to serve Christ]. Diotrephes also stops those people who want to help the brothers. He makes those people leave the church (group of believers). 11My dear friend, don't follow what is bad; follow what is good. The person who does what is good is from God. But the person who does evil has never known God. 12All the people say good things about Demetrius. And the truth* agrees with what they say. Also, we say good about him. And you know that what we say is true. 13I have many things I want to tell you. But I don't want to use pen and ink. 14I hope to visit you soon. Then we can be together and talk. 15Peace to you. The friends (believers) here with me send their love. Please give our love to each one of the friends there.

Elder This is probably John the apostle. "Elder" means an older man. It can also mean a special leader in the church (like Titus 1:5). truth The truth or "Good News" about Jesus Christ that joins all believers together.

Other Versions