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 you may prosper in all things and be in 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 rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the 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 to hear that my children walk in truth. Gaius Commended for Generosity

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

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for 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:

who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

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

because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

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

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. Diotrephes and Demetrius

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

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

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.

Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting 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. He who does good is of God, but he 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 a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true. Farewell Greeting

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, but I do not wish to write 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 shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.