Greeting to Gaius from the Elder
(2 John 1:1-3)

1The elder,

To Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

2Beloved, I pray you to prosper concerning all things and to be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3For I rejoiced exceedingly of the brothers coming and bearing witness of your truth, just as you are walking in truth. 4I have no greater joy than these things, that I should hear of my children walking in the truth.

Gaius Commended for His Hospitality

5Beloved, you are doing faithfully whatever you might have done toward the brothers, and they are strangers, 6who testified of your love before the church, whom you will do well having set forward worthily of God. 7For they went forth on behalf of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8Therefore we ought to receive such men, so that we may be fellow workers in the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, the one loving to be first among them, does not welcome us. 10Because of this, if I might come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he is doing, speaking against us with evil words; and not being satisfied with these, neither he receives the brothers himself, and he forbids those purposing, and he casts them out from the church.

11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one doing good is of God; the one doing evil has not seen God.

12Witness has been given to Demetrius by all, and by the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

Conclusion

13I had many things to write to you, but I do not desire to write to you with ink and pen; 14but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak mouth to mouth.

Peace to you.

The friends greet you.

Greet the friends by name.