1 I, a ruler in the church, send word to the well loved Gaius, for whom I have true love.2 My loved one, it is my prayer that you may do well in all things, and be healthy in body, even as your soul does well.3 For it gave me great joy when some of the brothers came and gave witness that you had the true faith and were walking in the true way.4 I have no greater joy than to have news that my children are walking in the true way.5 My loved one, you are doing a good work in being kind to those brothers who come from other places;6 Who have given witness to the church of your love for them: and you will do well to send them on their way well cared for, as is right for servants of God:7 For they went out for love of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles.8 So it is right for us to take in such men as guests, so that we may take our part in the work of the true faith.9 I sent a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, whose desire is ever to have the first place among them, will not have us there.10 So if I come, I will keep in mind the things he does, talking against us with evil words: and as if this was not enough, he does not take the brothers into his house, and those who are ready to take them in, he keeps from doing so, putting them out of the church if they do.11 My loved one, do not be copying what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God: he who does evil has not seen God.12 Demetrius has the approval of all men and of what is true: and we give the same witness, and you are certain that our witness is true.13 I had much to say to you, but it is not my purpose to put it all down with ink and pen:14 But I am hoping to see you in a short time, and to have talk with you face to face.\

1 Senior Gajo carissimo, quem ego diligo in veritate. 2 Carissime, de omnibus orationem facio prospere te ingredi, et valere sicut prospere agit anima tua.3 Gavisus sum valde venientibus fratribus, et testimonium perhibentibus veritati tu, sicut tu in veritate ambulas. 4 Majorem horum non habeo gratiam, quam ut audiam filios meos in veritate ambulare. 5 Carissime, fideliter facis quidquid operaris in fratres, et hoc in peregrinos, 6 qui testimonium reddiderunt caritati tu in conspectu ecclesi : quos, benefaciens, deduces digne Deo. 7 Pro nomine enim ejus profecti sunt, nihil accipientes a gentibus. 8 Nos ergo debemus suscipere hujusmodi, ut cooperatores simus veritatis.9 Scripsissem forsitan ecclesi : sed is qui amat primatum genere in eis, Diotrephes, non recipit nos : 10 propter hoc si venero, commonebo ejus opera, qu facit, verbis malignis garriens in nos : et quasi non ei ista sufficiant, neque ipse suscipit fratres : et eos qui suscipiunt, prohibet, et de ecclesia ejicit. 11 Carissime, noli imitari malum, sed quod bonum est. Qui benefacit, ex Deo est : qui malefacit, non vidit Deum.12 Demetrio testimonium redditur ab omnibus, et ab ipsa veritate, sed et nos testimonium perhibemus : et nosti quoniam testimonium nostrum verum est.13 Multa habui tibi scribere : sed nolui per atramentum et calamum scribere tibi. 14 Spero autem protinus te videre, et os ad os loquemur. Pax tibi. Salutant te amici. Saluta amicos nominatim.