A Greeting from the Elder
(2 John 1:1–3)

1The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

2Beloved, I pray that, in all things, you may be prosperous, and be in health, even as your soul prospers. 3For I rejoiced exceedingly, when brethren came and testified to your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Gaius Commended for Hospitality

5Beloved, you do a faithful work, in whatsoever you do to the brethren, and that to strangers, 6who testified to your love before the assembly; whom sending forward worthily of God, you will do well; 7for on behalf of His name they went forth, taking nothing from the gentiles. 8We ought, therefore, to welcome such persons, that we may become fellow-workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9I wrote to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have preeminence among them, receives us not. 10On this account, if I come, I will remember his works which he is doing, prating against us with evil words; and not content with these things, he neither himself receives the brethren, and those wishing to do so he forbids, and casts them out of the assembly.

11Beloved, do not imitate the evil, but the good. He that does good is of God; the evil-doer has not seen God. 12To Demetrius testimony has been borne by all, and by the truth itself; and we also bear testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

Conclusion
(2 John 1:12–13)

13Many things I had to write to you; but I wish not to write to you with ink and pen;

14but I hope shortly to see you, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to you. The friends salute you. Salute the friends by name.