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

EL anciano al muy amado Gaio, al cual yo amo en verdad.

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

Amado, yo deseo que tú seas prosperado en todas cosas, y que tengas salud, así como tu alma está en prosperidad.

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.

Ciertamente me gocé mucho cuando vinieron los hermanos y dieron testimonio de tu verdad, así como tú andas en la verdad.

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

No tengo yo mayor gozo que éste, el oir que mis hijos andan en la verdad.

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

Amado, fielmente haces todo lo que haces para con los hermanos, y con los extranjeros,

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.

Los cuales han dado testimonio de tu amor en presencia de la iglesia: á los cuales si ayudares como conviene según Dios, harás bien.

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).

Porque ellos partieron por amor de su nombre, no tomando nada de los 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.

Nosotros, pues, debemos recibir á los tales, para que seamos cooperadores á la verdad.

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.

Yo he escrito á la iglesia: mas Diótrefes, que ama tener el primado entre ellos, no nos recibe.

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.

Por esta causa, si yo viniere, recordaré las obras que hace parlando con palabras maliciosas contra nosotros; y no contento con estas cosas, no recibe á los hermanos, y prohibe á los que los quieren recibir, y los echa de la iglesia.

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.

Amado, no sigas lo que es malo, sino lo que es bueno. El que hace bien es de Dios: mas el que hace mal, no ha visto á Dios.

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.

Todos dan testimonio de Demetrio, y aun la misma verdad: y también nosotros damos testimonio; y vosotros habéis conocido que nuestro testimonio es verdadero.

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

Yo tenía muchas cosas que escribirte; empero no quiero escribirte por tinta y pluma:

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.

Porque espero verte en breve, y hablaremos boca á boca. sea contigo. Los amigos te saludan. Saluda tú á los amigos por nombre.