1 ¶ The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

The elderly elder to the beloved (esteemed) Gaius, whom I truly love.

2 B eloved, I wish that thou be prospered in all things and be sound, even as thy soul prospers.

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

3 ¶ For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou dost walk in the truth.

In 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.

4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my sons walk in the truth.

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

5 B eloved, thou doest faithfully whatever thou doest regarding the brethren and with the strangers,

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

6 w ho have borne witness of thy charity before the congregation, whom if thou wilt help them as is convenient according to God, thou shalt do well;

They 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.

7 b ecause for his name’s sake, they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

For these have gone out for the Name’s sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites).

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

So 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.

9 ¶ I wrote unto the congregation, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, did not receive us.

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.

10 T herefore, if I come, I will cause his deeds to be understood, speaking against us with malicious words, and not content with this, he does not receive the brethren and forbids those that desire to receive them and casts them out of the congregation.

So 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.

11 B eloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God, but he that does evil has not seen God.

Beloved, 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.

12 ¶ Everyone gives testimony of Demetrius, even the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and ye have known that our witness is true.

Demetrius has warm commendation from everyone—and from the Truth itself; we add our testimony also, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee,

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

14 F or I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

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.