The Second Letter of John

Translation: The New Jerusalem Bible

The Spoken Word Set 7
Letters and Documents Volume 18

The recording of this collection of letters and documents

read by David Guthrie

may be purchased and downloaded digitally from Naxos at

Classics Online

 and the Naxos Spoken Word Library

Track 56 Title The second letter of John

Track 57 1-3 Introduction

From the Elder: my greetings to the Lady, the chosen one, and to her children, whom I love in truth -- and I am not the only one, for so do all who have come to know the Truth -- and I am not the only one, for so so do all who have come to know the Truth- because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us for ever. In our life of truth and love, we shall have grace, faithful love and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father.

Track 58 4-6 The law of love

It has given me great joy to find that children of yours have been living the life of truth as we were commanded by the Father. And now I am asking you -- dear lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but only the one which we have had from the beginning -- that we should love one another. To love is to live according to his commandments: this is the commandment which you have heard since the beginning, to live a life of love. There are many deceivers at large in the world, refusing to acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in human nature. They are the Deceiver; they are the Antichrist. Watch yourselves, or all our work will be lost and you will forfeit your full reward.

Track 59 7-13 The enemies of Christ

If anybody does not remain in the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he does not have God with him: only those who remain in what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them. If anyone comes to you bringing a different doctrine, you must not receive him into your house or even give him a greeting. Whoever greets him has a share in his wicked activities. There are several things I have to tell you, but I have thought it best not to trust them to paper and ink. I hope instead to visit you and talk to you in person, so that our joy may be complete. Greetings to you from the children of your sister, the chosen one.
   

The Third Letter of John

Translation: The New Jerusalem Bible

The Spoken Word Set 7
Letters and Documents Volume 18

The recording of this letter read by David Guthrie available on CD and shortly on iTunes and the Naxos Spoken Word Library

Track 60 Title The third letter of John

Track 61 1-8 Introduction

From the Elder: greetings to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in truth. My dear friend, I hope everything is going happily with you and that you are as well physically as you are spiritually. It was a great joy to me when some brothers came and told of your faithfulness to the truth, and of your life in the truth. It is always my greatest joy to hear that my children are living according to the truth. My dear friend, you have done loyal work in helping these brothers, even though they were strangers to you. They are a proof to the whole Church of your love and it would be a kindness if you could help them on their journey as God would approve. It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the non-believers for anything: it is our duty to welcome people of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.

Track 62 9-11 Beware of the example of Diotrephes

I have written a note for the members of the church, but Diotrephes, who enjoys being in charge of it, refuses to accept us. So if I come, I shall tell everyone how he has behaved, and about the wicked accusations he has been circulating against us. As if that were not enough, he not only refuses to welcome our brothers, but prevents from doing so other people who would have liked to, and expels them from the church. My dear friend, never follow a bad example, but keep following the good one; whoever does what is right is from God, but no one who does what is wrong has ever seen God.

Track 63 12 Commendation of Demetrius

Demetrius has been approved by everyone, and indeed by Truth itself. We too will vouch for him and you know that our testimony is true.

Track 64 13-15 Epilogue

There were several things I had to tell you but I would rather not trust them to pen and ink. However, I hope to see you soon and talk to you in person. Peace be with you; greetings from your friends; greet each of our friends by name.

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