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 unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in [the] truth.
2 Beloved, I wish that thou be prospered in all things and be sound, even as thy soul prospers.
3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou dost walk in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my sons walk in the truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatever thou doest regarding the brethren and with the strangers,
6 who have borne witness of thy charity before the church, whom if thou wilt help them as is convenient according to God, thou shalt do well;
7 because for his name's sake, they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We, therefore, ought to receive such, that we might be fellow workers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, did not receive us.
10 Therefore, if I come, I will cause his deeds to be understood, speaking against us with malicious words, and not content with this, he does not receive the brethren and forbids those that desire to receive them and casts [them] out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God, but he that does evil has not seen God.
12 Everyone gives testimony of Demetrius, even the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and ye have known that our witness is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee,
14 For I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.: