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

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

2 B eloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.

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 exceedingly when brethren came and bore testimony to 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 I have no greater joy than these things that I 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 faithfully whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers,

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

6 ( who have witnessed of thy love before assembly,) in setting forward whom on their journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well;

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 for the name have they gone forth, taking nothing of those of the nations.

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

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

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

9 I wrote something to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, receives us not.

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

10 F or this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts out of the assembly.

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 what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has 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 has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and 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 to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee;

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 soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace to thee. The friends greet thee. Greet 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.