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

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. 6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, 7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. 12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; 14 but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face.

Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.2 Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.3 For I rejoiced exceedingly when {the} brethren came and bore testimony to thy {holding fast the} truth, even as *thou* walkest in truth.4 I have no greater joy than these things that I hear of my children walking in the truth.5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully {in} whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers,6 (who have witnessed of thy love before {the} assembly,) in setting forward whom on their journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well;7 for for the name have they gone forth, taking nothing of those of the nations.8 *We* therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.9 I wrote something to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, receives us not.10 For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts {them} out of the assembly.11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God.12 Demetrius has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and *we* also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true.13 I had many things to write to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee;14 but I hope soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth.15 Peace {be} to thee. The friends greet thee. Greet the friends by name.