2 Yohan (John)

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

Note: This Readers' Version is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn't necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. (It's designed to be used alongside the Literal Version which gives the English reader a window into what's actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you're wanting to read and understand the Literal Version.) Between the two versions you should be able to easily read the clear message of the text, while at the same time being able to check for yourself if that's a fair translation of what the original authors had inked onto their ancient manuscripts.)

Note that greyed words are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we have tried to be as honest / transparent as possible.

Introduction

This the second letter that we have by Yohan one of the earliest followers of Yeshua. He sent this letter to a chosen woman and her children—presumably meaning ‘chosen by God’. Some think this might be referring to a group of believers (in which case, the ‘chosen sister’ of the closing sentence might also be a congregation). This short letter reminds the recipients that it’s necessary to keep following the truth of Yeshua’s original teaching and to love each other. It also warns about those who teach that Yeshua was not the messiah (or was not God).

Main components of Yohan’s letter

Greetings 1-3

Love and obedience 4-6

Guarding the truth 7-11

Ending 12-13

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

It is our prayer that this Readers' Version of the Open English Translation of the Bible will give you a clear understanding of the accounts and messages written by the God-inspired Biblical writers.

Truth and love

Salutation

Greetings

1 This letter is from Yohan the elder to the chosen lady and her children who I genuinely love (as do all the other believers) 2 because of the truth that lives in us and will be with us forever.

3 We will have grace, mercy, and peace in truth and love from God the father and from his son Yeshua the messiah.

1:4 Stick to the original message

Truth and Love

Live in the Truth

4 I was so happy that I found some of your children living out the truth as per the command that the father gave us. 5 [ref]So now I’m requesting you, lady, (not making some new command, but one that we’ve had since the beginning) that we all need to love each other 6 where the definition of love is obeying God’s commands. This is the command about walking in love that you all heard from the beginning 7 because many false preachers have entered the world who don’t believe that Yeshua is the messiah who came as a human. Any person like that is a deceiver and against the messiah.

8 So make sure that you all don’t lose what you’ve worked for, but rather go on to receive a full reward.

9 Anyone who doesn’t stay with the messiah’s teaching or adds more to it doesn’t have God—it’s the person who continues in the his teaching that has both the father and the son with them. 10 If anyone comes to you all and doesn’t bring this same message, don’t accept that person into your house, and don’t tell them that it’s good 11 because anyone who encourages those people is participating in the evil that they’re spreading.

1:12 Closing off

Final Words

Conclusion

Final Greetings

12 I’ve got many things that I wanted to write to you about, but paper and ink aren’t working for me so I’ll try to come and then we can talk directly because I want you all to experience genuine happiness.

13 Your sister’s children (and she’s also a chosen one) send their greetings also.