1 T he elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

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

2 B eloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

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

3 F or I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

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

4 G reater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

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

5 B eloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;

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

6 w ho bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:

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 b ecause that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

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

8 W e therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.

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

9 I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

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

10 T herefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of 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, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen 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 hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness: and thou knowest that our witness 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 many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen:

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

14 b ut I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends 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.