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

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

2 B eloved, I wish that thou be prospered in all things and be sound, 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 ¶ 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.

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 this, to hear that my sons walk 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 doest regarding the brethren and with the strangers,

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

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 for his name’s sake, 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 receive such, that we might be fellow workers to the truth.

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

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

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 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.

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, 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 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 ¶ 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 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, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee,

I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen 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.

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.