1The Elder: 2Jn 1

2Dear friend, Or Beloved I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically 1Tm 1:10 just as you are spiritually. Lit as your soul prospers

3For I was very glad when some brothers came and testified Jn 15:26; Ac 26:5 to your faithfulness to the truth — how you are walking in the truth. 2Jn 4

4I have no greater joy Jn 15:11 than this: to hear that my children 1Co 4:14; Gl 4:19; Php 2:22 are walking in the truth.

5Dear friend, Or Beloved you are showing faithfulness Lit are doing a faithful thing by whatever you do for the brothers, especially when they are strangers.

6They have testified to your love in front of the church. Mt 16:18; 1Co 14:4; Rv 1:4 You will do well to send them on their journey Ac 15:3; 20:38; 21:5; Rm 15:24; 1Co 16:6; 2Co 1:16; Ti 3:13 in a manner worthy of God, 1Co 10:31; 1Th 2:12

7since they set out for the sake of the Name, Jn 10:25; Ac 15:14; Rv 14:1 accepting nothing from pagans. 1Co 9:15-18

8Therefore, we ought to support such men so that we can be coworkers with Or coworkers for the truth.

9I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, Mt 20:25-28; 23:5-12; Col 1:18; 1Pt 5:2-3; 2Jn 9 does not receive us. Ac 18:27; Rm 16:1-2; 2Co 3:1

10This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering 1Tm 5:13 us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

11Dear friend, Or Beloved do not imitate what is evil, 1Pt 3:17 but what is good. The one who does good is of God; 1Jn 4:4 the one who does evil has not seen God. Ex 33:20

12Demetrius has a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. And we also testify for him, and you know 1Jn 2:20-21 that our testimony is true. Jn 21:24

13I have many things to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with pen and ink.

14I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Lit mouth to mouth