2 John 1:12

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.

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 elect sister greet thee. Amen.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
I 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, so that our joy may be complete.
KJV
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.
WEB
Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.
ASV
Having many things to write unto you, I would not [write them] with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.
DARBY
Having many things to write to you, I would not with paper and ink; but hope to come to you, and to speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.
BLB
Having many things to write to you⁺, I intended not with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you⁺ and to speak mouth to mouth, so that our joy may be full.
ÅB
Skjønt jeg har meget å skrive til dere, vil jeg ikke gjøre det med papir og blekk; men jeg håper å komme til dere og tale muntlig med dere, for at vår glede kan være fullkommen.
OTB
Selv om jeg har mange ting å skrive til dere, foretrekker jeg ikke å gjøre det med papir og blekk; men jeg håper å besøke dere og tale ansikt til ansikt, så deres glede kan være fullkommen.
B1930
Skjønt jeg har meget å skrive til eder, vil jeg ikke gjøre det med papir og blekk; men jeg håper å komme til eder og tale muntlig med eder, forat vår glede kan være fullkommen.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 16:12

    I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

    Read in context
  • 3 John 1:13–14

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

    Read in context
  • John 15:11

    These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 16:5–7

    Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 12:8

    With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

    Read in context
  • John 17:13

    And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

    Read in context
  • Romans 15:24

    Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

    Read in context
  • 1 John 1:4

    And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

    Read in context