1 T he elderly elder to the beloved (esteemed) Gaius, whom I truly love.

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

2 B eloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and may keep well, even as your soul keeps well and prospers.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

3 I n fact, I greatly rejoiced when the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth.

For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.

4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are living their lives in the Truth.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 B eloved, it is a fine and faithful work that you are doing when you give any service to the brethren, and strangers.

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers;

6 T hey have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to forward them on their journey in a way worthy of God’s.

and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

7 F or these have gone out for the Name’s sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites).

For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

8 S o we ourselves ought to support such people, in order that we may be fellow workers in the Truth (the whole Gospel) and cooperate with its teachers.

Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

9 I have written briefly to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to take the lead among them and put himself first, does not acknowledge my authority and refuses to accept my suggestions or to listen to me.

I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.

10 S o when I arrive, I will call attention to what he is doing, his boiling over and casting malicious reflections upon us with insinuating language. And not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive and welcome the brethren himself, and also interferes with and forbids those who would welcome them, and tries to expel (excommunicate) them from the church.

For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

11 B eloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

12 D emetrius has warm commendation from everyone—and from the Truth itself; we add our testimony also, and you know that our testimony is true.

Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had much to write, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (a reed) and ink;

I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;

14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face. Peace be to you! (Good-bye!) The friends here send you greetings. Remember me to the friends there by name.

but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.