in his Son Jesus Christ.

means of everlasting life.

This is the true God, the

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols [erroneous doctrines, undue love of the world]. Amen.

THE

SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN.

This Epistle was written by John the Evangelist, and is improperly called Catholic.

It is addressed to the "elect Lady;" where she resided is not known.

It was written from Ephesus.

It contains thirteen verses, eight of which are to be found in the first Epistle.

1 THE elder [apostle, a chief in the church] unto an honourable matron and her children, converted to the faith [chosen by God to the knowledge of the gospel], whom I love as a fellow-believer; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth.

2 Whom I love for the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another [1 John ii. 7, 8].

6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it [1 John ii. 5].

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that ye lose not those things [that advancement in holiness] to which ye have attained, but that ye persevere to the receiving a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of thy sister in the faith greet thee. Amen.

THE

THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN.

This Epistle was written by John the Evangelist, and is addressed to Gaius, supposed to be a Macedonian, settled at Corinth, the same person who lodged Paul during his sojourn there [Rom. xvi. 23].

Gaius was afterwards, as is believed, Bishop of Thessalonica. The Epistle is improperly called Catholic.

It was written from Ephesus.

It contains fourteen verses.

1 THE elder [apostle, a chief in the church] unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth [increaseth in grace].

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

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5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself [the gospel]: yea, and we also bear record, and ye know that our record is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.