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

The church leader writes to the much-loved Gaius. I love you because of the truth.

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

Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way. I pray that your body is strong and well even as your soul is.

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.

I was very happy when some Christians came and told me about how you are following the truth.

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

I can have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

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

Dear friend, you are doing a good work by being kind to the Christians, and for sure, to the 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 told the church about your love. It will be good for you to help them on their way as God would have you.

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

These people are working for the Lord. They are taking nothing from the people who do not know God.

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

So we should help such people. That way we will be working with them as they teach the truth.

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

I wrote a letter to the church. But Diotrephes wants to be the leader and put himself first. He will have nothing to do with us.

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 if I come, I will show what he is doing by the bad things he is saying about us. Not only that, he will not take the Christian brothers into his home. He keeps others from doing it also. When they do, he 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.

Dear friend, do not follow what is sinful, but follow what is good. The person who does what is good belongs to God. The person who does what is sinful 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.

Everyone speaks good things about Demetrius. The truth itself speaks for him. We say the same thing also and you know we are speaking the truth.

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

I have much to write about but I do not want to write it in this letter.

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 then we can talk together. May you have peace. The friends here greet you. Greet each friend there by name.