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. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left 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 on the right 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 fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV 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’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

The bold words in the OET New Testament are words that the original writers or copyists marked to indicate that they considered them to refer to God. (Sadly, this information is not displayed in most Bible translations, especially since it seems to confirm that the earliest writers/copyists considered both Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be God.)

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 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.

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.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

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  The elder, to_the_chosen mistress and the children of_her, whom I am_loving in truth (and not I only, but also all the ones having_known the truth), 2 because_of the truth which remaining in us, and will_be with us to the age: 3 grace, mercy, peace will_be with us from god the_father and from Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) chosen_one /messiah, the son of_the father, in truth and love.

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.

4 I_was_ exceedingly _elated that I_have_found some of the children of_you walking in truth, as the_command we_received from the father.

5 And now I_am_asking you, mistress, not as writing a_ new _command, to_you, but what we_were_having from the_beginning, that we_may_be_loving one_another.

6 And this is the love: that we_may_be_walking according_to the commands of_him.

This is the command, as you_all_heard from the_beginning, that you_all_may_be_walking in same.

7 Because many deceivers came_out into the world, the ones not confessing Yaʸsous chosen_one /messiah coming in flesh.

This one is the deceiver and the anti-messiah.

8 Be_seeing yourselves that you_all_may_ not _lose what things you_did, but you_all_may_take_back a_ full _reward.

9 Everyone which going_beyond and not remaining in the teaching of_the chosen_one /messiah, is_ not _having god, the one remaining in the teaching, this one is_having both the father and the son.

10 If anyone is_coming to you_all, and is_ not _bringing this the teaching, not be_receiving him into ^your_house, and not be_saying to_be_rejoicing to_him, 11 for/because the one saying to_him to_be_rejoicing is_sharing in_the the evil works of_him.

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.

12 Having many things to_be_writing to_you_all, I_was_ not _counseled through paper and ink, but I_am_hoping to_become to you_all, and to_speak mouth to mouth, in_order_that the joy of_you_all may_be having_been_fulfilled.

13 The children of_the the chosen sister of_you is_greeting you.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

Quick links