21LITTLE CHILDREN, DO KEEP YOURSELVES FROM <THE> IDOLS AMEN. 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.*NoteCloseBYZ and TR include Amen.
1THE ELDER TO [THE] ELECT LADY AND TO THE CHILDREN OF HER WHOM I MYSELF LOVE IN TRUTH, AND NOT I MYSELF ONLY, BUT ALSO ALL THOSE ALREADY KNOWING THE TRUTH — A Greeting from the Elder (3 John 1:1–4) 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 WHICH IS ABIDING IN US AND WITH US THAT WILL BE TO THE AGE: 2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3WILL BE WITH US GRACE MERCY [AND] PEACE FROM GOD [THE] FATHER AND FROM LORD 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 EXCEEDINGLY THAT I HAVE FOUND [SOME] OF THE CHILDREN OF YOU WALKING IN TRUTH EVEN AS COMMANDMENT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FATHER. Walking in the Truth (John 8:30–47) 4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
5AND NOW I IMPLORE YOU, LADY, NOT AS A COMMANDMENT NEW I AM WRITING TO YOU BUT THAT WHICH WE HAVE HAD FROM [THE] BEGINNING, THAT WE MAY 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 <THE> LOVE THAT WE MAY WALK ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF HIM. THIS THE COMMANDMENT IS EVEN AS YOU HAVE HEARD FROM [THE] BEGINNING, SO THAT IN IT YOU MAY WALK; 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 NOT CONFESSING JESUS CHRIST COMING IN FLESH; THIS IS THE DECEIVER AND THE ANTICHRIST. Beware of Deceivers 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.
8DO WATCH YOURSELVES SO THAT NOT YOU MAY LOSE WHAT THINGS WE HAVE WORKED FOR, BUT A REWARD FULL YOU MAY RECEIVE. 8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for,*NoteCloseNE and WH what you have worked for but that you may be fully rewarded.
9ANYONE WHO IS PROGRESSING AND NOT ABIDING IN THE TEACHING <THE> OF CHRIST GOD NOT HAS; THE [ONE] ABIDING IN THE TEACHING OF THE CHRIST THIS [ONE] BOTH THE FATHER AND THE SON HAS. 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 THIS <THE> TEACHING NOT DOES BRING, NOT DO RECEIVE HIM INTO [THE] HOUSE, AND TO GREET HIM NOT DO TELL; 10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
11THE [ONE] TELLING FOR HIM TO REJOICE PARTAKES IN THE WORKS OF HIM <THE> EVIL. 11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
12MANY THINGS HAVING TO YOU TO WRITE NOT I PURPOSED WITH PAPER AND INK; BUT I HOPE TO COME TO YOU AND MOUTH TO MOUTH TO SPEAK SO THAT THE JOY OF US COMPLETED MAY BE. Conclusion (3 John 1:13–14) 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,*NoteCloseLiterally mouth to mouth so that our joy may be complete.
13GREET YOU THE CHILDREN OF THE SISTER OF YOU <THE> ELECT AMEN. 13The children of your elect sister send you greetings.*NoteCloseBYZ and TR include Amen.