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

The church leader writes to the much-loved Gaius. I love you because of the 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.

Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way. I pray that your body is strong and well even as your soul is.

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.

I was very happy when some Christians came and told me about how you are following the truth.

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

I can have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following 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.

Dear friend, you are doing a good work by being kind to the Christians, and for sure, to the 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.

They have told the church about your love. It will be good for you to help them on their way as God would have you.

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).

These people are working for the Lord. They are taking nothing from the people who do not know God.

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.

So we should help such people. That way we will be working with them as they teach 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 a letter to the church. But Diotrephes wants to be the leader and put himself first. He will have nothing to do with us.

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.

So if I come, I will show what he is doing by the bad things he is saying about us. Not only that, he will not take the Christian brothers into his home. He keeps others from doing it also. When they do, he 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.

Dear friend, do not follow what is sinful, but follow what is good. The person who does what is good belongs to God. The person who does what is sinful 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.

Everyone speaks good things about Demetrius. The truth itself speaks for him. We say the same thing also and you know we are speaking the truth.

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

I have much to write about but I do not want to write it in this letter.

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.

I hope to see you soon and then we can talk together. May you have peace. The friends here greet you. Greet each friend there by name.