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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.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
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.
World English Bible (WEB)
Having{G2192}{(G5723)} many things{G4183} to write{G1125}{(G5721)} unto you{G5213}, I would{G1014}{(G5675)} not{G3756} write with{G1223} paper{G5489} and{G2532} ink{G3188}: but{G235} I trust{G1679}{(G5719)} to come{G2064}{(G5629)} unto{G4314} you{G5209}, and{G2532} speak{G2980}{(G5658)} face{G4750} to{G4314} face{G4750}, that{G2443} our{G2257} joy{G5479} may be{G5600}{(G5753)} full{G4137}{(G5772)}.
Strong's King James
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
The F.O.G
[12] I have so much more to tell you, but I don't want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk face to face. Then our joy will be complete - like friends finally meeting after a long separation!
I have so much more I want to write to you, but I do not want to do it with ink and paper. I hope to come and see you, to speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
The F.O.G Paraphrase
Many things having to write to you, I did not intend through paper and ink, but I hope to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full;
Young's Literal Translation
Footnotes:
*The original Greek wording is maintained but naturally implies face-to-face communication. John may be emphasising the mouth as a metaphor for the sword (words) that comes from it, which speaks life or death, blessing or curse, and judgment or justice.
The F.O.G Commentary:
The F.O.G Commentary brings deeper contextual insight to every verse in the Bible. Browse any available commentary below, or help shape our study priorities by requesting a commentary for this verse in the comments. Your input guides which verses we explore next as we build this growing resource together. What is the F.O.G?
